SALEM, Ore. — A coalition of 29 attorneys general has filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging the agency to consider their viewpoints and recognizing their role in competition and consumer protection.
The coalition, led by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, recently sent a letter to the FTC asking that the attorneys general's viewpoint and expertise are relied on for a series of public hearings relating to adjustments to competition and consumer protection enforcement laws, according to Rosenblum's office.
“The FTC plays a pivotal role in the development and enforcement of regulations that protect consumers," Rosenblum said in a statement. "For example, almost everything we do today has a digital footprint, and the FTC is relied upon to help ensure we have strong systems in place to protect our personal information and data."
"Similarly, state attorneys general are in the forefront of consumer protection and are particularly adept at spotting emerging scams and business trends. It is crucial that state AGs' viewpoints and expertise are considered as the FTC contemplates changing enforcement priorities and implementing new policies affecting consumers."
“State attorneys general play a distinct and important role in consumer protection, given our broad authority to act in the public interest combined with our responsibility to enforce state laws," the attorneys general's letter to the FTC stated. "We have a long history of protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive practices."