EVERETT — State Senate Majority Leader Marko Liias told members of the business community in Everett on Wednesday that Washington needs to prioritize using state transportation funds to create thousands of new jobs.

Liias, D-Edmonds, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, told those at Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s annual Legislative Kickoff that he will focus on new job creation when the 2026 legislative session begins on January 12.