Dear friends and neighbors,

I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for re-electing me as the Washington State Senate Majority Leader. Since I was first elected as Majority Leader in 2018, my focus has been on leading the Senate to pass legislation that creates opportunity and builds prosperity for everyone in our state.

I have also prioritized increasing access to the legislative process with one of the most successful remote testimony programs in the nation, allowing more people throughout the state to participate in the lawmaking process.

Regardless of any leadership position, representing Spokane is always my top priority and I will continue to focus on delivering results for our community.

Over the last decade, I have had the opportunity to work on legislation that has made tangible impacts through:

  • Increased voting access and easier voter registration
  • Small business success
  • Access and affordability of childcare
  • Campaign finance transparency
  • A cleaner Spokane River
  • Increased student support and smaller class sizes in K-12 education
  • Improvements for children in the foster care system
  • Improved bike and pedestrian infrastructure
  • And a lot more!

New Feature: Billig’s Bills

In this newsletter, we start a regular feature – ‘Billig’s Bills’ – looking at a bill from a previous session to see how it’s working.

In 2012, I sponsored House Bill 1489 to require the removal of phosphorus from general lawn fertilization to help reduce dangerous toxic algae blooms in the Spokane River and in waterways throughout the state. Washington was one of the first states in the nation to take this step.

Since the law took effect in 2013, the Department of Ecology and the Spokane Riverkeeper have reported fewer toxic algae blooms and improved water quality. Next year, a 10-year water quality report focusing on phosphorous will be released and we will look to that report for a more detailed analysis of the impact of this bill.

Senate Page Program: Apply Today!

The Washington State Senate has one of the best page programs in the country and applications are now open for students ages 14 to 16 interested in getting involved in the legislative process in Olympia. As witness to the Legislature’s hustle and bustle during session, students have the chance to participate in floor sessions, assist in various offices, and attend Page School to learn about how our state government functions. Get instructions for applying here. Applications close February 13, 2023.

Keep in Touch

Your input is essential for me to effectively do my job of representing our community. Please reach out to me at any time with questions, feedback, or comments at Andy.Billig@leg.wa.gov.

Onward!

Andy