Liias for Legislature - WA

Business Champion (Again!)

I am honored to have been recognized as a Business Champion for the second year in a row by the Everett Area, South Snohomish and Monroe Chambers of Commerce!&#160; As someone that helped start a small business, I know how tough it is to navigate the rules and regulations.

As someone that lost that same business in this economic collapse, I know the pain that comes from watching your life's work crumbling in front of you.

I look forward to working with small businesses throughout our community to get the economy restarted, and get people back to work.&#160; Thanks again for the honor!

Fighting for students and families

Today, I was proud to lead the fight against an excessive and ill-conceived plan to raise tuition on our state's college students by nearly 30%.&#160; This reckless policy will cost Washington's students and families nearly $2,000 by the end of 2011.

As the youngest member of the Legislature, I rallied my colleagues and ensured that the bill passed with the minimum votes necessary to pass the House, 50-47.&#160; While it was a defeat for students, it was a victory for accountability and transparency.

Thanks to key amendments, our state's higher education institutions will have to open their books and be more accountable to our Legislature.&#160; As Washington's students pay more, it will no longer be acceptable for administrators to collect larger and larger salaries, while producing little value for our students.

I wish the outcome were different, but in the weeks and months to come, I will continue to stand up for the next generation of leaders in our state.&#160; This is not the change we hoped for, and it is not the progressive leadership we demand.

Virtual Town Hall

Should the Legislature raise taxes?&#160; Should we fund education or health care?&#160; What are your priorities for our state budget?

I will be asking these questions and more this Tuesday, April 7th, during a virtual Town Hall on taxes and the budget.&#160; If you live in the 21st District and have a landline, you should receive a call at 6:00pm.&#160; The Town Hall will take place over the phone and it will last one hour.

If you don't have a landline, or you don't receive our call, you can call in and participate.&#160; Visit this link for more information!

Now Showing: Inside Olympia

Marko appeared on this week's episode of "Inside Olympia" to talk about the budget and other big issues in the Legislature.

The show appears on TVW and is hosted by Austin Jenkins of NPR.&#160; House Minority Floor Leader Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) also appeared to give a Republican perspective on the issues.

Sign up for text message updates!

I have just set up a new text messaging campaign to keep you up to date on all my campaign events for the 2010 election cycle!

This list will be used to notify you of fundraisers, kickoffs, campaign events, and most importantly--when and how to VOTE!

You will receive on average one text message per month, so don't worry about text spamming...

Group text messaging by Tatango.

Response to Boeing Layoff Announcement

"The layoffs announced by today by Boeing will affect our entire state, but they will have a particularly detrimental effect on our community, which is home to many aerospace-industry employees. These layoffs underscore the need for the legislature to begin work immediately next week on a plan to stimulate the economy and provide assistance for those who lose their jobs. I, for one, am ready to roll up my sleeves and tackle these difficult issues.”

Rep. Marko Liias, January 9, 2009

Paine Field Town Hall

I will be cohosting a Town Hall meeting this Thursday, January 8th from 6-8pm at the new Mukilteo City Hall.

The meeting is being cohosted by Senator Paull Shin and Rep. Mary Helen Roberts.

We will be discussing the potential for expansion of commercial air service at Paine Field and how citizens can get involved and make your opinion heard.

As I have said previously, I am firmly opposed to expansion of air service at Paine Field.&#160; This Town Hall will be an opportunity to hear what you think!

Details: Town Hall Meeting on Paine Field

Thursday, January 8, 2009

6:00-8:00pm

Mukilteo City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way, Mukilteo, WA

Fundraising Freeze in Effect

As of 11:59pm on Friday, December 12, 2008, Liias for Legislature can no longer solicit or accept contributions.&#160; State law prohibits contributions during the legislative session and in the thirty days prior to the start of the session.

Any contributions that do not meet this timeline will be returned with our sincere thanks.

Thank you all for your support and generosity to the campaign, we could not have achieved such strong results in November without you!

Contacting me during the legislative session

The 2009 legislative session will convene in January and last for 105 days. During this time, I will be spending most of the week in Olympia, and it is best to contact me through my legislative office.

I appreciate your feedback on the important decisions we will make this year, and I need to hear your thoughts on the issues that are important to our state.

Contact information in Olympia

Legislative Aide: Paige DeChambeau

Office telephone: (360) 786-7972

Email: liias.marko@leg.wa.gov

Visiting Olympia?

If you are planning a visit to the State Capitol, let me know!&#160; There are tours available, and I always appreciate a chance to see friends.&#160; Our schedule is very hectic during the legislative session, so it helps to call a few days in advance to let me know you will be in the area.

Comcast Newsmakers Interview

Marko was interviewed today for a Comcast Newsmakers segment that will be included on Comcast channels later this month.

Tony Ventrella asked Marko about career and technical education and other subjects during the short interview at Redmond City Hall.

Click below to view the video via YouTube.

Marko leads with 66%

The initial results are in, and Marko has been elected!&#160; He is currently leading with nearly 20,000 votes and 66%.&#160; A big THANK YOU to all our volunteers and supporters.

Marko says a special thanks to campaign manager Robert Knoll!

Mukilteo Beacon endorses Marko

Marko's hometown paper has endorsed him for the Legislature!&#160; The Mukilteo Beacon announced its support on Wednesday.&#160; The endorsement focused on Marko's background on the Mukilteo City Council and his record in one short session.

The Mukilteo Beacon is the fourth newspaper to endorse Marko Liias, continuing the unanimous support of editorial boards in this race.

Here is an excerpt:

"In his first year in Olympia, Liias worked hard to prove his worth, shepherding three bills to passage. The most important, perhaps, was creation of a $10 million emergency fund to save low cost housing – such as mobile home parks and apartments – in danger of being lost to new development... Residents of the 21st District deserve a representative who cares. We support Marko Liias."

To read the full endorsement, click here.

Enterprise endorses Marko

The Enterprise newspapers have endorsed Marko Liias for state representative!&#160; The editorial board's endorsement is the third in a string of support from every newspaper to make a recommendation in the race.

Here is an excerpt:

"Liias was appointed to the Legislature in January to fill out the remainder of Rep. Brian Sullivan's term. He's worked hard in Olympia on affordable housing, education and business and technology. He deserves a chance at a full term to show voters what he can do, and receives our full backing."

To read the full endorsement, click here.

Seattle Times Endorses Marko

The Seattle Times has become the second major newspaper to endorse Marko in his race for the Legislature.

Click here to read the full set of endorsements.

"Rep. Marko Liias seeks election to the Position 2 House seat he was appointed to last January when four-term state representative Brian Sullivan was elected to the Snohomish County Council. Democrat Liias was elected to the Mukilteo City Council in 2005, and he takes that solid local experience to Olympia."

Marko featured on Q13 News

Our race is attracting some local media attention as Election Day nears!

This story in the Edmonds Enterprise led to a full story on Q13 news at 10pm on Thursday.&#160; Click here to read the Q13 story.

Marko did a great job talking about the issues in our district, and why a younger voice in the Legislature is an asset for our community.

We still need your help taking that message to the last few voters though, so consider sending a final donation to support our campaign!

Click here to contribute online.