Beginning Our Work on the Three State Budgets
Every two years, the Legislature passes three major biennial budgets: An operating budget, which outlines spending for the majority of our government including education, corrections, health care and human services, a capital budget, which funds building and construction projects such as K-12 schools, higher education facilities and other permanent structures, and finally the transportation budget, which covers investments such as roads, bike & pedestrian grant programs, and the State Patrol.
All three of these budgets are important for Spokane, and a big part of my job as your senator is to advocate for programs and projects in these budgets that will build opportunity and prosperity in Spokane and throughout the state.
Capital Budget Spotlight: Women & Children’s Free Restaurant
While the operating budget will get much of the attention this year because of our legal and moral obligation to fully fund basic education, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the capital budget. I will be advocating for several important Spokane area projects in the in the capital budget this year, including a state grant for funding of a portion of building improvements at the Women & Children’s Free Restaurants new location.
Spokane’s low-income families deserve more than basic assistance. They should also be afforded the dignity and relaxation that comes with something we often take for granted: a night out with our families. The Women and Children’s Free Restaurant provides just this type of service, nutritious food for families in need along with a big helping of community engagement.
Happy kids eating their hot meal at the Women and Children’s Free Restaurant
The Women and Children’s Free Restaurant project grant application rated highly in the Building Communities grant program independent review and I am optimistic about the chances it will be funded in this year’s capital budget.
Spokane Citizen Hall of Fame
Are you inspired by someone’s accomplishments in our community? The Spokane Public Library is hosting our community’s first-ever Citizen Hall of Fame. To nominate someone, click here.
Keeping in Touch
If you have a comment, idea, or question, please let me know.I would love to hear from you! You can reach me by e-mail (andy.billig@leg.wa.gov) or by phone at 360-786-7604.
And if you know someone who would like to get their own copy of my weekly e-newsletter, tell them they can go to my website at http://www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/senators/billig/ and click on the link to “Sign up for my e-newsletter.”
Onward!
Andy
