News

Gold Star license plates simplified under new law thanks to Spokane family | April 30, 2019

OLYMPIA – A bill making Gold Star license plates permanent – without the need for periodic renewal – was signed by the governor into law today. House Bill 1197 was… READ MORE

Addressing affordable housing and homelessness | April 25, 2019

It’s no secret: Washington state is facing an affordable housing and homelessness crisis. No part of our state is unaffected by it. That’s why I’ve been supporting critical housing… READ MORE

Bill guaranteeing nurse meal and rest breaks headed to governor’s desk | April 24, 2019

OLYMPIA – By a vote of 70-24, the state House sent a key patient safety and worker fairness measure to the governor’s desk for signature today. House Bill 1155, sponsored… READ MORE

#DitchTheSwitch: Year-round daylight saving time measure clears Senate | April 16, 2019

OLYMPIA – The state Senate voted overwhelmingly tonight to put Washington state on year-round daylight saving time. House Bill 1196, which passed on a 46-2 vote, was already approved by… READ MORE

Update from Olympia: Bills close to finish line | April 11, 2019

Protecting the Affordable Care Act With the passage of SHB 1870, we’re protecting the Affordable Care Act in Washington state, regardless of any rollbacks that occur at the federal level…. READ MORE

Local and statewide investments: House capital budget proposal | March 27, 2019

House releases 2019-20 capital budget proposal This week, the state House unveiled its capital budget proposal. Often referred to as the “construction budget,” the capital budget funds the construction and… READ MORE

Thanks for coming to our town hall | March 21, 2019

Thank you, Spokane, for another successful legislative town hall meeting! We had a great turnout last Saturday at the MAC, and got a lot of really excellent questions from the… READ MORE

Making health care more affordable | March 14, 2019

Reminder: I am hosting a legislative town hall at the MAC this Saturday, March 16 together with Rep. Timm Ormsby and Sen. Andy Billig. Hope to see you this weekend!… READ MORE

Riccelli rail safety measure clears House | March 13, 2019

OLYMPIA – A bill to help protect both rail workers and the public from high hazard, flammable trains passed the state House today on a strong bipartisan vote. Sponsored by… READ MORE

House votes overwhelmingly to keep Washington on year-round daylight saving time | March 9, 2019

OLYMPIA – One the eve of “spring forward,” the state House voted in favor of a bill that would put Washington state on year-round daylight saving time. Sponsored by Rep…. READ MORE

House passes bill guaranteeing meal and rest breaks for nurses | March 6, 2019

OLYMPIA – A patient safety and worker fairness measure that guarantees meal and rest breaks for nurses and certain other health care employees passed the state House today. Sponsored by… READ MORE

Cutoff week for bills, March 16 town hall | February 28, 2019

Hello from your state capitol, where it’s the last week for House fiscal bills to advance out of fiscal committees in order to remain “alive.” As a member of both… READ MORE

Riccelli secures unanimous support for revamped employee classification bill | February 22, 2019

OLYMPIA – Working with stakeholders on all sides of the issue, Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, secured agreement on a worker classification bill that keeps it moving forward in the House… READ MORE

Update from Olympia: Telephone town hall and health care bills | February 14, 2019

Another successful telephone town hall in the 3rd LD On Tuesday evening, over 2200 residents from the 3rd legislative district took part in a telephone town hall with Rep…. READ MORE

3rd LD legislators hosting February 12 telephone town hall | February 8, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY Who: State Sen. Andy Billig, State Reps. Timm Ormsby and Marcus Riccelli What: Telephone town hall When: Tuesday, February 12, 6 – 7 p.m. Where: 3rd Legislative District… READ MORE

First House floor vote of 2019 | January 30, 2019

Photo credit: LSS House votes unanimously on a code of conduct My first recorded vote of the 2019 legislative session was in favor of passing a code of conduct for… READ MORE

Riccelli, Wilson champion expanded access to healthy fruits and vegetables | January 24, 2019

OLYMPIA – Companion proposals to help those struggling with food insecurity get more fresh fruits and veggies have been introduced in the state House and Senate. Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane,… READ MORE

Back in Olympia and making history | January 16, 2019

The 2019 legislative session began Monday, January 14, with the swearing in of new and returning members. Among these members were a couple of notable additions: Representative Debra Lekanoff,… READ MORE

Governor signs changes to Spokane County commissioner elections | March 28, 2018

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee signed the Responsible Representation Act into law today, a bipartisan bill changing the way large counties elect their county commissioners. House Bill 2887, sponsored by… READ MORE

Legislature passes measure to name State Route 395 after late Speaker Tom Foley | March 1, 2018

OLYMPIA – A joint memorial requesting to name State Route 395 the “Thomas S. ‘Tom’ Foley Memorial Highway” sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) won approval by the state Senate… READ MORE

Honoring a lifetime of public service: House passes measure naming State Route 395 after late Speaker Tom Foley | January 22, 2018

OLYMPIA – Former Speaker of the House Tom Foley spent 30 years representing his eastern Washington district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He eventually became the first Speaker from… READ MORE

Riccelli to attend Marshallese Community Health Forum this Saturday | December 14, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY WHAT: A community health forum to discuss the historical and current issues impacting the health of the Marshallese community and their need for access to affordable health care… READ MORE

3rd District legislators respond to shooting at Freeman High School | September 13, 2017

OLYMPIA – Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, and Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, released the following statement in response to the tragic shooting today at Freeman High School:… READ MORE

3rd LD Legislators to host September 13 mobile office event | September 8, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY Who: State Sen. Andy Billig, State Reps. Timm Ormsby and Marcus Riccelli What: Mobile office event When: Wednesday, September 13, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Where: Give It A… READ MORE

Response to Charlottesville and moving forward in Washington | August 25, 2017

We are outraged by the violent white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville and further condemn Trump’s rhetoric in Phoenix, which perpetuated hatred and bigotry. In response, as Washington House Democrats, we… READ MORE

White coat ceremony launches inaugural WSU medical school class | August 18, 2017

Spokane producing more physicians to meet need in underserved areas SPOKANE – The inaugural class of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine will be officially welcomed into… READ MORE

Washington Film Makers Win Big in State Budget | June 30, 2017

OLYMPIA—The popular and successful Motion Picture Competitiveness Program will continue due to last minute negotiating by key lawmakers in the State House. Under the 2017-2019 budget proposal, the program that… READ MORE

Riccelli bill creates health insurance ‘backstop’ for underserved counties | June 27, 2017

OLYMPIA – Responding to ever-dwindling options in the state’s individual health insurance market, as well as uncertainty around the future of the federal Affordable Care Act, Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane,… READ MORE

Governor signs Riccelli measure increasing access to physicians, telemedicine through interstate compact | May 5, 2017

OLYMPIA – A bill that will help ease the high demand for physicians in Washington state, including through the use of telemedicine, was signed by Governor Jay Inslee this morning… READ MORE

House approves bill guaranteeing meal and rest breaks for nurses | March 7, 2017

OLYMPIA – Described during floor debate as “the pre-eminent patient safety bill of the session,” a measure guaranteeing meal and rest breaks for nurses passed the House today. It would… READ MORE

Honoring a legacy of public service: Houses passes measure to name State Route 395 after late Speaker Tom Foley | February 28, 2017

OLYMPIA – For 30 years, former Speaker of the House Tom Foley represented his eastern Washington district in the U.S. House of Representatives, eventually becoming the first Speaker from west… READ MORE

Spokane Representative Marcus Riccelli elected Majority Whip | November 18, 2016

OLYMPIA – Building on four years of bipartisan cooperation and leadership, State Representative Marcus Riccelli (D – Spokane) was elected Majority Whip by Democratic colleagues today. Riccelli previously served as… READ MORE

Funding coming for bus line connecting Browne’s Addition, SCC, University District and Gonzaga | April 25, 2016

OLYMPIA – In a year full of tough negotiations and an extended session, passing a supplemental transportation budget with funding for the Spokane Central City Line was Rep. Marcus Riccelli’s… READ MORE

Spokane Representative’s “Apple a Day” Provides Funding for Local Schools | April 19, 2016

OLYMPIA – As more families and cafeterias move toward convenience in the kitchen, the art of scratch cooking and providing access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and other nutritious foods… READ MORE

Governor signs Riccelli bill to keep neighborhood kids in neighborhood schools | April 4, 2016

OLYMPIA – In a ceremony on Friday, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) to keep neighborhood kids in neighborhood schools. The law, HB 2985, gives school… READ MORE

Governor signs Sheena Henderson law | April 2, 2016

OLYMPIA – Two years after the awful tragedy that resulted in the murder of Sheena Henderson at the hands of her husband, Chris Henderson, the Governor signed HB 1448, sponsored… READ MORE

Neighborhood kids stay in neighborhood schools thanks to bipartisan legislation | March 10, 2016

OLYMPIA – With mere hours left in the 2016 legislative session, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to increase eligible educational space for students across Washington state. The bill, HB 2985,… READ MORE

House passes Riccelli bill to help ease school classroom sizes | March 4, 2016

OLYMPIA – A simple bill could clear the way for school districts across the state to reduce the number of students in their classrooms. HB 2985, sponsored by Rep. Marcus… READ MORE

Senate passes amended Sheena Henderson Law | March 3, 2016

OLYMPIA – By a 48-0 vote, the state Senate passed an amended version of Sheena and Chris Henderson’s Law, HB 1448. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), addresses… READ MORE

Spokane representative pushes bill to lower class sizes | February 22, 2016

OLYMPIA – When school facilities are replaced by state funded new construction, the old facility is taken offline for student use because state law requires it. In new legislation introduced… READ MORE

Sheena Henderson Law passes House | February 16, 2016

Click here for audio clips from Rep. Riccelli OLYMPIA – Sheena Henderson was a loving mother and wife. Her husband, Chris, was known for his great sense of humor and… READ MORE

3rd LD legislators to host Telephone Town Hall on Monday, February 8 | February 3, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY Who: State Sen. Andy Billig, State Reps. Timm Ormsby and Marcus Riccelli What: Telephone town hall When: 6 – 7 p.m. Monday, February 8 Where: 3rd Legislative District… READ MORE

Expanding County Commission Gets Unanimous Vote In Committee | January 28, 2016

OLYMPIA – The move to better representation and governance received a strong bipartisan stamp of approval today. The House State Government committee approved legislation by State Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane)… READ MORE

Spokane Rep. Marcus Riccelli appointed chair of accountability committee | January 20, 2016

OLYMPIA – Representative Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) has been appointed to head the special legislative committee responsible for facilitating transparency and accountability in legislative budget processes in Washington State. “As an… READ MORE