Working Collaboratively

We are starting the final week of the 2017 legislative session.

In the past two weeks, we have passed meaningful and bipartisan legislation, including:

  • Capital and Transportation budgets.
  • House Bill 1713 – providing Washington’s kids with better mental health treatment and services.
  • House Bill 1234 – a great bill for the women of Washington. It requires insurance carriers to reimburse refills for birth control for 12 months at a time instead of monthly.
  • Senate Bill 5022 – request legislation from Attorney General Bob Ferguson requiring clear debt information for student loan borrowers.
  • Senate Bill 5107 – creating greater access to high quality early learning for the kids that need it most.

Operating Budget

On the operating budget, Senate Republicans have so far refused to begin negotiations on a final budget solution. We’ve shown we can get things done when we work together and we can solve the operating budget challenge too.

That’s not to say it will be easy. Both Democrats and Republicans have proposed new taxes to balance their budget proposals. What’s different is how we choose to invest that revenue.

Currently, there is not an operating budget proposal that will muster the 50 House votes and 25 Senate votes required to go home. What’s most important is that we find a common middle ground that is fiscally responsible, makes our tax code fairer, and delivers for Washingtonians.

Keeping Your Private Info Private

Recently back in D.C., Congress voted to roll back protections that keep internet providers from selling your search history and other personal web related information. That’s why I co-sponsored legislation (SB 5919) that would block this kind of data collection in Washington state. The bill has bipartisan support and I am hopeful we can pass this bill before we adjourn so we can protect every Washingtonian’s right to privacy.

Keep in Touch

I value your input as we work to improve opportunity and prosperity in Spokane and our state. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have a comment, idea or questions.

You can reach me by email andy.billig@leg.wa.gov or by phone at 360-786-7604.

Onward!

Andy