News Releases - Sen. Marko Liias

Senate approves Move Ahead Washington transportation revenue package

by sdcadminFeb 15 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate today approved revenue sources for Move Ahead Washington; the 16-year transportation investment package sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett). Senate Bill 5974 passed the chamber on a 29-20 vote Tuesday evening. Move Ahead Washington includes $16.8 billion in investments for projects across the state, including historic funding for public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian safety, road preservation and maintenance, and climate mitigation.

“We are on the verge of a new day in Washington – ...
Read More

Senate passes Liias bill to expand loan forgiveness program

by sdcadminFeb 12 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate approved legislation this week to expand access to loan forgiveness for people who work in public service. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is a federal program that allows borrowers employed full-time in public service jobs to get their student loans repaid. Senate Bill 5847, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), requires employers to notify public service employees of their eligibility and provide them with resources on how they can enroll and have their public service recognized.

“Too many of our neighbors are feeling the burden of student loan debt, ...
Read More

Senate approves Liias bill to restrict high-capacity magazines 

by sdcadminFeb 10 20220 Comments

A bill to restrict the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines in Washington was approved by the state Senate on a 28-20 vote Wednesday.  Senate Bill 5078, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), prohibits the manufacture, sale, import or transfer of large-capacity magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The approved legislation does not ban the current possession of a high-capacity magazine.  

“My community has seen firsthand the devastating impact that gun violence can have on families,” said Liias. “We need to act now to protect residents across the state from unnecessary harm, ...
Read More

Senate and House Transportation Chairs Introduce 16-year “Move Ahead Washington” funding proposal

by sdcadminFeb 08 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, Senate and House Transportation Committee Chairs Sen. Marko Liias, D – Everett, and Rep. Jake Fey, D – Tacoma, unveiled Senate Bills 5974 and 5975 and House Bills 2118 and 2119 — Move Ahead Washington — a 16-year transportation proposal for Washington state. The $16 billion package provides historic funding for preserving our infrastructure, combating climate change by reducing emissions, expanding safe, affordable transit options, and addressing harm caused in communities of color from our existing transportation system.

“Washington is a nationwide leader ...
Read More

Senate okays bipartisan Liias bill on private long-term care insurance

by sdcadminJan 26 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Senate approved bipartisan legislation today to ensure Washingtonians who pay for private long-term care insurance are able to receive benefits when they are needed most. Senate Bill 5508, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), passed on a unanimous vote. The legislation would align state law with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Act to ensure the Guaranty Fund will remain solvent in the long term.

“This is an important step to make sure Washingtonians ...
Read More

Committees move Liias bill on private long-term care insurance

by sdcadminJan 21 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA - The Senate Health & Long Term Care and Rules Committees approved legislation this week to ensure Washingtonians who pay for private long-term care insurance are able to receive benefits when they need it most. Senate Bill 5508, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), would align state law with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Act to ensure the Guaranty Fund will remain solvent in the long term.

“This is an important step to make sure Washingtonians ...
Read More

Liias: Senate Transportation package will not include gas tax

by sdcadminJan 07 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA - Sen. Marko Liias (D- Everett), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, shared the following statement regarding a transportation package today:

"As we begin the 2022 session, I want to be clear that any transportation package I introduce in the Senate this year will not include a new gas tax. As our state continues to confront and recover from the pandemic, working class families still face the brunt of the economic burden. In light of these challenging times, it is imperative that ...
Read More

Liias appointed to Bi-State I-5 Bridge Replacement committee, concurs with Cleveland on bridge

by sdcadminDec 20 20210 Comments

Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), selected by his caucus to chair the Senate Transportation Committee beginning in the 2022 legislative session, will also serve on the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee (JLAC) that is pursuing the development of a new I-5 bridge.

Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver), who has served on the Transportation Committee since her election to the Senate in 2012, has pushed the restart of efforts to build a new bridge ever since a prior proposal to replace ...