News Releases

TUKWILA -- A package of bills to expand voter registration and participation and to improve access to representation in Washington state were signed into law today by Gov. Inslee. The DISCLOSE Act (SB 5991), major campaign finance transparency legislation, and the Senate companion youth voter registration bill (SB 5110), were sponsored by Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane. “This is a significant ...

OLYMPIA – The capital budget, which passed both chambers this evening, will get Washington back to work on much-needed construction and renovation projects, investing $4.3 billion in more than 1,400 projects across the state. This includes a $1 billion investment in school construction projects. Spokane received $125 million for local projects including:

OLYMPIA – Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, released the following statement after the Senate passed the DISCLOSE Act (SB 5991), his signature campaign finance transparency legislation: “The bipartisan Senate vote tonight on the DISCLOSE Act takes us one step closer to shining a light on dark money in Washington state elections. Campaign transparency increases accountability, reduces the opportunity for corruption and ...

OLYMPIA – As Democrats take majority control of the Washington State Senate, Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, will become the Deputy Majority Leader when the Legislature convenes in 2018.  As Deputy Majority Leader, Billig will be the number-two person on the Democratic leadership team, helping to set the agenda and guide policy in the state Senate. The Senate Democratic Caucus met ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, issued this statement today at the conclusion of the Legislature’s third special session and in response to the Senate Republicans’ refusal to allow a vote on the capital construction budget. “This has been an unfortunate ending to an otherwise productive legislative session that included historic investments in K-12 education and early learning. “There was full agreement ...

Olympia- Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, issued the following statement today regarding the passage of Senate Bill 5023, commonly known as the levy cliff bill. Billig played an instrumental role in the negotiation process that resulted in the bill finally being brought to the floor for a vote: “I’m certain that families, teachers and administrators in Spokane and across the state are ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, released the following statement after the Republican Senate majority blocked his motion to bring the DISCLOSE Act (Senate Bill 5219), his signature campaign finance transparency legislation, to the floor for a vote: “Prior to my motion, Senate Republicans brought to the floor politically divisive legislation they claimed would lead to greater transparency and accountability ...

Olympia - Sen. Andy Billig’s, D-Spokane, Senate Bill 5570 that would prevent foreign-owned companies from contributing to political campaigns in Washington state will receive a public hearing in the Senate State Government Committee on Feb. 8 at 8 a.m. “We have an obligation to keep Washington’s elections free, fair and in accordance with federal law,” said Billig. “As American citizens, ...

Olympia - Transparency and accountability are at the heart of campaign finance legislation introduced today by Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane. Senate Bill 5108 would help curb the practice of moving money from one political action committee (PAC) to another for the purpose of obscuring donor transparency. Currently, PACs are required to list their top five donors on campaign advertisements so ...

Olympia- More than a mile of elevated train tracks run through the heart of downtown Spokane, and travelling on those tracks are trains hauling oil cars loaded with highly volatile Bakken crude oil. Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, believes hauling oil on elevated tracks poses a safety hazard unique to Spokane and he wants to grant local authorities the ability to lower ...