Last Friday marked what is known around here as policy cutoff day. It is one of the first hurdles in the lifecycle of a bill becoming a law. At this point, any policy bill (non-budget related) that hasn’t been voted out of its policy committee will not continue through the legislative process this session. This week we will work on passing bills out of the fiscal committees and then the focus will go to considering bills as a full Senate.

Spokanites Testify in Support of Oil Train Speed Limits

Last week in the Senate Transportation Committee, Spokane City Councilperson Breean Beggs and Mike Petersen, the executive director of the Lands Council, testified in support of Senate Bill 5098, which would allow cities such as Spokane to set lower speed limits for trains carrying hazardous materials like Bakken crude oil.

You can watch their testimony by clicking here.

Hearing You Loud and Clear

Thank you to all the constituents who braved the pass on Monday to spend their President’s Day in Olympia. Members from Washington CAN, Planned Parenthood, NAMI Spokane, the Spokane County Young Democrats, and the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council all made the trip from Spokane to share their voices on issues important to them.

I truly value your input and I am able to do my job most effectively when I hear from you. Anytime there is an issue you care deeply about, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Spokane Town Hall

To update you on what has been happening so far here in Olympia and to receive your input, my 3rd District seatmates and I will hold a Spokane town hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 11. This meeting is a perfect opportunity for constituents to provide feedback and have questions answered on a variety of topics including education funding, job creation, health and wellness, transportation improvements, etc.

Town Hall Meeting Details:

  •  9:30 -11 a.m. Saturday, March 11
  • Washington Cracker Factory/Terrain, 304 W Pacific Ave.

Keeping in Touch

If you have a comment, idea or question, please let me know. I would love to hear from you!

You can email me at andy.billig@leg.wa.gov or call me at 360-786-7604.

Onward!

Andy