With Democrats in majority, Liias to command Senate floor action

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, will lead Senate floor action as the majority floor leader in the 2018 legislative session.

As minority floor leader last session, Liias served in a more reactive capacity for the minority Democrats. But since Democrats won a special election earlier this month in the state’s 45^th Legislative District, they now hold the majority in the Senate. This gives the Democrats and Liias the power to determine which bills will come up for a vote.

Liias will also continue to serve on the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Rules Committee and will assume roles on the Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.

“Guiding legislation through the Senate is a powerful responsibility and a role that I assume with the utmost respect and humility,” Liias said. “At the end of the day, what we do will determine the welfare of Washingtonians in communities across our state. It’s our job now to make sure everything that comes out of the Senate reflects Washington values and priorities.”

The 2018 legislative session gets underway in Olympia on Jan. 8.