Category Archives: News Release

25 Apr
0

Legislature approves bipartisan plan to fund Washington state transportation future 

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate approved a bipartisan transportation revenue package Friday to maintain and improve the state’s roads, bridges, ferries, and transit systems. After months of negotiation, the agreement marks a significant step toward securing Washington’s long-term transportation ...

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22 Apr
0

Liias bill banning certain animals from traveling acts signed into law

OLYMPIA — Legislation banning the use of some animals in traveling acts was signed into law Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), prohibits traveling acts like circuses from using elephants, bears, tigers, lions, and nonhuman primates in performances ...

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04 Apr
0

Liias’ bill codifying Apple Health coverage for HIV antiviral drugs signed into law

OLYMPIA — Bipartisan legislation ensuring the state’s Medicaid program continues to cover HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization was signed into law Friday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), requires the Health Care Authority continue covering all HIV ...

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29 Mar
0

Senate passes bipartisan transportation budget to keep Washington moving ahead

OLYMPIA — The 2025-27 bipartisan transportation package passed the Senate Saturday.  The bipartisan package, which includes a spending plan, revenue bill, and bond bill, closes the $1 billion shortfall in the state’s budget for the 2025-27 biennium and commits funding ...

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28 Mar
0

Senate passes bill to grow Snohomish County’s fusion energy industry

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill creating an alternative siting pathway for fusion power projects passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. House Bill 1018, the companion to legislation originally introduced by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), allows fusion energy projects to use the Energy ...

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24 Mar
0

Senate unveils bipartisan transportation budget to keep projects going, preserve infrastructure, make roads safer

OLYMPIA — The Senate released its 2025-27 transportation budget, which includes two bipartisan proposals charting different funding paths for the state’s transportation system. One proposal postpones projects and reduces state agency operating costs to close the $1 billion shortfall in ...

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20 Mar
0

MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Transportation Committee leaders to release bipartisan budget proposal Monday

OLYMPIA — The Senate Transportation Committee will release its 2025-2027 bipartisan budget Monday, March 24. A press release with information on the proposal’s key elements will be sent at about 11 a.m., and a media availability will be held at ...

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11 Mar
0

Senate passes Liias bill to speed up transportation projects, lower costs

OLYMPIA – A bill giving the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) more tools to deliver large construction projects on an expedited — and less costly — timeline passed the Senate on a 48-1 vote Tuesday. The legislation, sponsored by ...

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11 Mar
0

Liias: Washington will continue to include voices of impacted communities in infrastructure projects

OLYMPIA — Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) issued the following statement March 11 after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded the Biden administration’s memos on factoring environmental justice into infrastructure decisions: “Our historic transportation decisions have sometimes had devastating consequences for Washingtonians, ...

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10 Mar
0

Senate passes Liias’ bill to get tough on repeated traffic offenders

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill increasing penalties for some repeat traffic offenses passed the Senate on a 48-1 vote Monday. With traffic deaths at a 33-year high, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), aims to reduce fatalities by doubling ...

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