In The News

Washington state lawmakers plan to swiftly pass a $2.2 billion COVID-19 relief package that focuses on getting people vaccinated, reopening K-12 schools and helping renters, homeowners and small businesses pay their bills. The spending plan would mostly distribute money that the federal government has already sent the state for pandemic relief. But by approving the measure now, as opposed to waiting for ...

Democrats in the Washington State Legislature released a $2.2 billion COVID-19 relief package today that would expand testing and vaccine availability, extend support to schools, provide grants for small business plus housing and food assistance for individuals. The proposals are scheduled to receive hearings in the House and Senate next week. The overall relief package includes separate legislation that provides unemployment ...

Leaders from the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses — Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, House Majority Floor Leader Monica Stonier, and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Manka Dhingra — gathered Wednesday for a virtual press conference to discuss the 2021 legislative session. The leaders addressed a variety of topics, including what bills will take precedence this session, when significant ...

At least we’re not New Jersey. That was one of the few bright spots to be found in a new report from the libertarian Reason Foundation ranking state highway systems for “overall cost-effectiveness and condition.” North Dakota came in first, New Jersey came in last and Washington finished 45th. While Mike Gribner, administrator of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Eastern Region, said ...

Democrats in the state Senate have reelected state Sen. Andy Billig of Spokane as majority leader, and named Sen. Bob Hasegawa of Seattle majority caucus chair. The moves were made as lawmakers prepare for the 2021 legislative session, which will convene in January with Democrats in control of the state Senate and House and Gov. Jay Inslee elected to a third ...

Sen. Andy Billig [D-Spokane] is running for a third term. The Senate Majority Leader faces a challenge from Republican Dave Lucas in the November general election. In this interview, Billig talks with Doug Nadvornick about the past legislative session and the issues he considers most important for the 2021 legislature. Doug also asks his positions on a variety of issues, from ...

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Senator Andy Billig since he was first elected to the Washington State House in 2010. What I like about Senator Billig is that he isn’t focused on his own agenda – he listens to the needs of Spokane’s residents and businesses and truly delivers on the community’s vision and requests. Our agenda is his ...

A number of elected Spokane leaders have issued a statement strongly opposing the presence of armed individuals during protests in downtown Spokane. The statement, which is signed by a number of officials including Mayor Nadine Woodward, City Council President Breean Beggs and Senator Andy Billing, reads as follows: "We, as elected leaders from the Spokane community, declare that we oppose the presence ...

The Washington State Senate is forming a bipartisan committee to address Washington State’s long-term economic recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig announced. Set to convene its first meeting in June, the committee will make recommendations on COVID-19 recovery legislation ahead of a potential special session, and the 2021 legislative session next year. It’s hard to imagine a ...

Legislative leaders backed Gov. Jay Inslee’s “stay home” order Monday night, urging residents to increase efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Washington. “This is a crisis for everyone in our community and any individual could get sick themselves or they could give the illness to a loved one,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane. If people make wise decisions ...