OLYMPIA—Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and Senate President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), two high ranking policy makers who have shaped Washington politics for at least a decade, announce they will be leaving the legislature this year.
Appointed to fill an open seat in the Washington State House of Representatives in 1995, then-candidate Keiser ran and won her first election in 1996. She served there until 2001, when she was appointed to a seat in the Washington State Senate, where she has been re-elected six times. Since 2018, Senator Keiser has served as President Pro Tempore, presiding over the Senate when the lieutenant governor has been unavailable.
“Senator Karen Keiser has been nothing less than a generational leader on behalf of working people,” Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck released in a statement. “Leaders like Karen do not come around often. She will be deeply missed in the Senate. I wish her well in her retirement.”
Keiser played a pivotal role in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Washington state. Below is a list of her accomplishments during her political tenure:
- Expanding and modernizing Washington’s apprenticeship.
- Requiring businesses to provide accommodations for pregnant employees.
- Prohibiting the use of non-disclosure agreements to cover up sexual harassment and other workplace abuse.
- Passing the Employee Free Choice Act, which prevents employers from requiring workers to attend meetings where employers impose religious and political opinions.
- Making Washington the first state in the nation to implement full overtime protections for agricultural workers.
- Passed the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act, which provides presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for essential workers during public health emergencies.
- Capping out-of-pocket costs for medications such as insulin and epinephrine.
- Establishing a prescription drug affordability board.
“It has been my privilege to serve the people of the 33rd Legislative District and the people of the State of Washington for the last 29 years,” said Keiser (D-Des Moines), the most senior member of the Senate. “I am in awe at the amazing progress we have made together in this institution over the last few decades.”
Senator Billig, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2010, will finish his current term and continue to serve as majority leader until a new leader is selected in November. He was elected majority leader in late 2018 and has served in that role since the 2019 legislative session.
“Senator Andy Billig has been an outstanding Senate Majority Leader,” Lieutenant Governor Heck released in a statement. “As a former legislative leader myself, I know the realities and pressures of the position. Leader Billig’s tenure will be remembered for significant legislative accomplishments that will leave lasting positive impacts on our state, and for marked civility between the caucuses. I am deeply grateful for his extraordinary service to our state.”
During his 14 years in the Legislature, Billig earned a reputation as a serious policy maker and consensus builder. He quickly became a leading voice on education funding and fought hard to expand access to high quality early learning.
Under his leadership, the Senate passed nation-leading legislation addressing climate change, gun safety, voting rights, affordable housing, reproductive rights and tax reform. He served as one of the “McCleary 8,” the group of legislators who spent 18 months negotiating a new K-12 funding plan in the wake of the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.
Below is a list of his accomplishments during her political tenure:
- Led the charge on a package of bills to expand access to the ballot and strengthen campaign finance laws. Billig’s DISCLOSE Act increased transparency laws to shine light on the source of money in elections.
- Championed legislation on sustainable aviation fuels.
- Led early efforts to make remote video testimony available to people across Washington.
- Sponsored and passed landmark legislation to protect the Spokane River.
- Secured many Spokane capital and transportation projects, most notably the University District Gateway bike and pedestrian bridge, the Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Line, and the expansion of the Carl Maxey Center.
Outside the Legislature, Billig is an award-winning business executive. He is the CEO of Brett Sports, a company that owns and operates four minor league sports teams. He has spent 32 years with Brett Sports, rising through the ranks as general manager, president and now as part-owner and CEO.
“Part of being a good leader is knowing when it is time to step aside and let others lead,” said Billig. “I have been incredibly lucky to have served Spokane in the Legislature and fortunate to have the strong support of my family and so many friends and neighbors throughout our community.”
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
