As a member of the Spokane Regional Board of Health, I have the opportunity of providing governance for the health district. As we continue to see diminishing resources with increasing demands, we look for allies among our elected state officials in Olympia who’ll weigh in and support efforts to provide for the health and well-being of our community members.

In this capacity, I’ve had the opportunity of talking with Rep. Andy Billig, and each time I’ve come away from our conversation with an appreciation that he gets it. Whether it’s been his support for the health sciences building at Riverpoint, or his support of Safe Routes to School legislation encouraging youth to walk and ride to school, or his proposed House Bill 2370, which called for expanding transportation system legislation that would’ve included health as a requirement, his appreciation and recognition that a community’s vitality depends on the health of its members is obvious.

I encourage you to join me and support Andy Billig in his efforts to join the state Senate.

Bob Lutz, MD

Spokane