Target Zero
One of my goals for the interim period between sessions is to go out and see state government in action so that I understand the facts on the ground when we are making budget and policy decisions in Olympia.
Recently, I had the opportunity to ride along with Washington State Patrol Trooper Scott Davis during a Target Zero Task Force shift.
Target Zero is a coordinated law enforcement, judicial, and educational program to crack down on DUIs. The goal is to reduce traffic fatalities in the state of Washington to zero by 2030. Target Zero has been in place in several other counties with great success and we provided funding in the recently passed 2013-15 transportation budget to expand the program to Spokane County. Trooper Davis kept me up past my bed time (we were on the road from 9pm to 3:30am) but it was worth it to see this effective program in action. I could not have been more impressed with the skill and professionalism demonstrated by Trooper Davis as I watched him take two drunk drivers off the road. His professionalism and compassion were enough to even earn him a heartfelt “thank you” from one of the people he arrested after the process was completed!
Thank you to Trooper Davis and all the other law enforcement officers who help keep us safe each day (and night…and early morning!).
Trooper Davis, pictured above
Legislative update in your real (and/or electronic) mailboxes
Your 3rd Legislative District team joined together to create a 2013 Legislative Update Report that was sent to residents in the district this week. You can read the newsletter in PDF Form HERE. In the newsletter, Rep. Ormsby, Rep. Riccelli and I provide updates on issues that are priorities for Spokane, including: investment in education, economic opportunity and infrastructure, preserving the safety net, and improving health care.
Mobile Office
Once again this year, Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District delegation will host a series of mobile office meetings to receive feedback and answer questions from constituents. These meetings include all three 3rd LD legislators (Reps. Ormsby & Riccelli and me) and will provide people the opportunity to make comments and ask questions about state government. We love the feedback and it helps us to better do our job of representing you. I hope to see you at one of our mobile offices.
Tuesday, September 24th
North Central neighborhood
Chairs Coffee
113 W. Indiana
4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (drop-in anytime)
Thursday, October 17th
East Central neighborhood
South Perry Farmer’s Market
924 S. Perry Ave.
4:00pm to 5:30pm (drop-in anytime)
Wednesday, November 13th
Hillyard neighborhood
North East Community Center
4001 N. Cook St.
3:30 to 5:00 PM (drop-in anytime)
Keeping In Touch
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office with questions or comments at any time. If you have feedback, I’d like to hear from you. You can reach me by e-mail (
andy.billig@leg.wa.gov) or by phone at 509-209-2427. And if you know someone who would like to get their own copy of my weekly e-newsletter, please send them to my website at
http://www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/senators/billig/ and click on the link to “Sign up for my e-newsletter” – I’ll be glad to keep them in the loop!
Onward!
Andy
