Protect the state of Washington

Regarding “Foreclosure deal moves ahead” [Business, Jan. 24]: I think Washington state citizens who were burned by the banks in the mortgage abuses before the bubble burst in 2007 would be well-served if Ron McKenna, our attorney general, joined with the attorney generals of New York, Massachusetts and other states in declining to sign on to a deal that will let the banks off the hook regarding claims relating to these mortgages.

The federal government is trying to arrange such a deal. Mortgage regulation is a function of state governments. It is not a function of the federal government.

Some attorney generals have claimed that the proposed settlement is too small; would prevent them from investigating broader claims; and allow the banks to pass the cost of the settlement to “middle-class Americans whose pension plans hold soured mortgage securities.”

Here is a good opportunity for Attorney General McKenna to demonstrate that he is protecting the interests of the citizens of the state of Washington.

— David Rudo, Seattle