What does affordability mean to you?

Hello neighbors, 

Making Washington a more affordable place to live is one of my top priorities this session. I know the word affordability means something different to every person and family in our district, so I want to hear from you about what would help ease the burden on your wallets. Share your thoughts in this short survey, or feel free to contact my office at Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7640. I’d love to hear your ideas and try to turn them into solutions. 

I’ve already introduced and co-sponsored multiple bills this session to help address some of the unaffordability issues we’re seeing in Washington. Here are some highlights:   

• Reforming some of our property taxes and relief programs to help keep seniors in their homes. 

• Giving renters and homebuyers more access to the housing market — and potentially more competitive prices — by requiring real estate brokers to advertise all available homes in Washington to the public. 

• Speeding up housing construction by letting developers turn vacant commercial buildings into housing and making our permitting and licensing processes more efficient.  

• Letting people install portable solar devices on places like apartment balconies, so they can generate a little of their own clean energy and cut electricity costs.  

• Eliminating interest charges on new and unpaid medical debt, so people can pay their bills. 

• Increasing the take-home pay of people whose wages are being garnished because of medical debt. 

• Helping people get more information about the affordability and durability of appliances, so they can make the best choice for their budget and needs.

We only have seven more weeks of session left, but I will continue fighting to pass as many bills as possible that will make life more affordable in our beautiful state. 

Sen. Marko Liias talking with Lt. Gov. Denny Heck on the Senate floor Jan. 21.

Learn how to participate 

We’ve made it easy here in Washington for you to participate in the legislative process. Democracy works best when everyone engages, so I hope you’ll make your voice heard during this 60-day session. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Learn how a bill becomes law.   

• Find legislation on the issues important to you. 

• Watch your democracy in action on TVW.  

• Testify before legislative committees.  

• Follow my official legislative Facebook and Instagram pages at @SenMarkoLiias. 

• Contact my office at Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7640.  

Talk soon!