Dear friends and neighbors,

Last week, I mentioned the cutoff deadlines and how they help to facilitate the legislative process. This week, we see another cutoff go by. Today is fiscal committee cutoff day. In the Senate, this means that all bills need to have passed through either the Ways & Means or Transportation committees by adjournment today in order to progress this session – with the exception of bills that are necessary to implement the budget.

Sustainable Aviation Podcast Feature

I had the honor of being a guest on Shashank Nigam’s Sustainability in the Air podcast last week. The episode covers Washington state’s efforts related to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and how our 2023 bill, SB 5447, has helped to make Washington a leader in the SAF field. You can listen to the episode and read about the highlights at this link. Or, you can listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.

What is a Citizen Legislature?

Since Washington’s statehood in 1889, we have had what’s known as a ‘citizen legislature.’ What does that mean? Private citizens–most with careers other than being politicians–are elected to the legislature to serve their communities.

My job as CEO of Brett Sports and co-owner of Minor League sports teams provides unique perspectives as we consider legislation and helps to keep me connected to my community in ways other than just my legislative work. Here are a few other examples of other legislators’ current jobs:

  • Sen. Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland) serves as a firefighter and paramedic, and holds degrees in fire administration and fire investigation.
  • Sen. Dozier (R-Walla Walla) is a wheat farmer.
  • Sen. Shewmake (D-Bellingham) is a professor of environmental economics, urban economics, and energy policy at Western Washington University.
  • Sen. Wilson (R-Longview) is a commissioner for the Port of Longview
  • Sen.  Nobles (D-Fircrest) is a former high school instructor, non-profit executive, and University Place School Board member.

There are also legislators who serve as nurses, doctors, police officers, publishers, teachers, ranchers, attorneys, pharmacists, ice cream shop owners, mechanics, and many other professions.

Stay in Touch

I always welcome your feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Andy.Billig@leg.wa.gov.

Onward!

Andy