By Leyna Krow, JTNews Correspondent
When asked about his decision to run for the office of state representative, Andy Billig keeps his answer succinct.
“My daughter,” Billig said. “Concern for her generation and for future generations.”
If elected, Billig, a Democrat, will represent Washington’s 3rd District, which encompasses most of the city of Spokane.
“It’s one of the poorest districts, if not the poorest, in the state,” Billig said. It’s also the community he has called home for the last 18 years.
Billig is the president and co-owner of Spokane’s minor league baseball team, the Indians. Prior to moving to Spokane in 1992, Billig worked for the Hawaii Winter Baseball League. He is originally from Washington D.C. and holds a degree in government from Georgetown University.
This is his first run for political office, but he believes that his participation in a host of other civic activities over the years has given him a sense for the needs of his district.
“I know the community well,” Billig said. “I’ve been a community and business leader. All those experiences will help you as a legislator.”
In addition to his work with the Indians, Billig has also served as a volunteer for a variety of Spokane organizations that includes the Big Brothers program, Bike to Work Week, and Greater Spokane Incorporated, the region’s chamber of commerce and economic development council. He serves on the board of the YMCA and was appointed by Mayor Mary Verner to serve on the City of Spokane Human Services Advisory Board and the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee to the mayor. Both he and his daughter, who is in the 5th grade, are active members at Congregation Emanu-El, Spokane’s Reform synagogue.
“The campaign itself has been valuable experience for me,” Billig added. “Knocking on 9,000 doors, meeting people on their front porches. It’s given me a feel for the community that I don’t think you can get any other way.”
The conversations Billig has had with fellow residents of the 3rd District have helped to shape his prospective legislative agenda.
“Certainly people are concerned about jobs,” he said. “Education and the high dropout rate also come up a lot.”
For Billig, these issues go hand in hand. The high school dropout rate for the 3rd District is close to 22 percent and the median annual income for the area ranks about $10,000 less than the state median.
“It’s a cycle.” Billig said. “If you’re poor, you’re more likely to drop out. If you drop out, you’re more likely to be poor. Providing good education opportunities is crucial.”
Billig said if he is elected, one of his first acts in Olympia will be to get an assignment to the House Education Committee, which does not currently have any Spokane-area representation. To combat the high dropout rate, Billig said he’d like to see Spokane increase the number of vocational programs available to high school students.
“Not every child learns in the same way,” he said. “Vocational schools can help kids who are alternative learners gain the knowledge they need to get good jobs.”
A four-year medical school in Spokane is another education project Billig hopes to see come to fruition. The school would be a collaboration with the University of Washington and according, to Billig, would “provide more doctors for the region and also be great for our economy locally.”
The protection of natural resources is also at the top of Billig’s agenda. The issue is particularly tangible for Spokane voters, Billig stressed.
“All of our drinking water comes from the Spokane aquifer, which is part of the Spokane River,” he said. “It’s the sole source of drinking water for over 500,000 people. And we need to protect it.”
But before Billig can tackle these projects in Olympia, he’s got to pass the test with Spokane voters.
Although the primary was “hotly contested,” Billig said he feels good about his chances for the Nov. 2 general election. The 3rd District traditionally votes Democratic and both of the sitting representative are Democrats. Of course that fact in and of itself is no guarantee of victory, Billig insisted.
“I’m upbeat, but I’m not taking anything for granted,” he said.