Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Levinson leaves WUTC to join Seattle Municipal Court

OLYMPIA — Anne Levinson, chairwoman of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), has resigned her position to become a judge on the Seattle Municipal Court.

Gov. Gary Locke said Levinson has been invaluable in leading the WUTC, noting she will make a strong addition to the Seattle court system.

"Anne has been an outstanding chairwoman of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, where she looked out for consumers and dealt fairly and creatively with businesses," Locke said. "I've known Anne for at least 10 years, and I know she will make an excellent addition to the Seattle bench. She will be a tremendously capable and compassionate judge for Seattle."

Levinson said the WUTC held a unique set of challenges and involved critically important issues, but the court will offer a different set of challenges about which she is passionate.

Levinson, 40, said the new position will allow her to act on her commitment to equity and access to justice.

"I'm honored by this nomination," Levinson said. "I've wanted to be a judge for some time, and my experience as a commissioner strengthened that desire. I particularly look forward to serving on the municipal court because it is a court close to the everyday concerns of people and the issues I care about: domestic violence and mental illness. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with many of the judges and look forward now to joining them as a colleague."

Levinson fills a vacancy created by Locke's appointment of Ron Kessler to the King County Superior Court last week.

Levinson joined state government in August 1997, having served as former deputy mayor of Seattle, directing the city's efforts for revitalization of downtown Seattle and the restructuring of city services. She was the city's primary contact on a number of critical policy issues ranging from education to the environment.

As chairwoman of the WUTC, Levinson directed the agency that regulates rates, services and practices of more than 1,000 privately owned utilities and transportation companies, including telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water and solid waste collection companies. Levinson presided over issues involving pricing, competition, universal service, inter-company disputes and rate setting.

Levinson tackled tough issues, including enacting consumer protection rules, increasing enforcement and working with telephone companies to crack down on those who switch a customer's service without permission (known as slamming).

The WUTC proposed to the legislature a new universal service structure that would keep telephone rates affordable while allowing competition to benefit all parts of the state. The agency also worked to provide clear and consistent disclosure of rates and terms to customers who use prepaid calling cards and pay phones.

During Levinson's tenure, the commission adopted rules that will lead to more price competition, more service choices and greater consumer protection for customers of household goods moving companies, the most comprehensive set of changes for the moving industry in the state in 60 years.

"I want to thank Governor Locke for his ongoing support and friendship," Levinson said. "I have tremendous respect and admiration for him and his administration."

Levinson will join the court March 1, pending confirmation by the Seattle City Council.

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