OLYMPIA – Members of the Senate Transportation Committee will release their 2023-25 budget proposal on Wednesday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. The state transportation budget funds various projects across the state – including ferries and passenger rail – and focuses on investments to improve traffic safety. This is also the first budget to use money raised by the Climate Commitment Act auctions. Budget details will be available online at fiscal.wa.gov at approximately 10:30 ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Mar. 22, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7298, erin.hut@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Sen. Marko Liias’ (D-Everett) bill to increase access to HIV medication unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The Washington Department of Health receives grant funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grant Program to operate the Early Intervention Program (EIP). EIP provides crucial support to Washingtonians living with HIV, including payment for some prescriptions, assistance ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Mar. 21, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7298, erin.hut@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate proposed a capital construction budget that would invest more than $4.7 million in projects across the 21st Legislative District. The suggested budget targets investments in local and community projects, public schools, as well as recreation and conservation efforts. The following is outlined in the Senate proposal:
Josie Howard, a sophomore at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, served as a page with the Washington State Senate the week of March 6. Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett) sponsored her week at the Legislature. The page program offers a week of interactive learning about how state government works. Pages get to sit in on committee hearings, watch floor debates, and deliver papers for Senate staff. Howard applied because of her past political involvement, and said her favorite part of the program ...
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Bill to safeguard youth seeking protected health services clears Senate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 1, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7853, courtney.james@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Legislation to support youth seeking protected health care services in Washington passed the Senate on a 27 – 19 vote today. Senate Bill 5599, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), removes barriers to shelter for at-risk and vulnerable youth. Under ...
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OLYMPIA – A bill to require anyone 25 or younger to complete a traffic safety education course before receiving a driver’s license passed the Senate today on a bipartisan 41-7 vote. Senate Bill 5583 aims to increase traffic safety in Washington on the heels of a report from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission showing that 745 people were killed in crashes in 2022. The legislation is part of a Read More
OLYMPIA – A bill to create more opportunity for housing near transit centers passed the Senate on a bipartisan 40-8 vote today. Senate Bill 5466, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), provides development targets near light rail and bus rapid transit stations and gives local jurisdictions flexible tools to meet these targets in ways that reflect the unique characteristics of their communities. Washington is currently facing a massive housing shortage, and ...
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OLYMPIA – Legislation to address diversity, equity, and staffing concerns within the Washington State Ferries (WSF) workforce passed the Senate on a bipartisan 45-3 vote today. Sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), Senate Bill 5550 would require WSF to adopt a formal diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, and develop an action plan to address issues identified in a newly mandatory annual employee survey.
“Our Washington State Ferries workers are exceptional ...Read More