FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Public Ports Association Recognizes Senator Marko Liias with 2026 Compass Award
OLYMPIA, Washington – On Tuesday, October 27 th ,
he Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) recognized Senator Marko Liias (D-21 st LD) with their 2026 Compass Award. The award was presented to Senator Liias at a meeting of the Port of Edmonds Commission at their offices in Edmonds, WA.
Since 2018, WPPA has recognized legislators who provide extraordinary leadership and unparalleled vision in advancing the work of public ports and supporting shared priorities of providing economic opportunity for their shared constituents. WPPA works on behalf of public ports across Washington, representing the interests of ports at the state legislature and beyond. The Association relies on the leadership, vision, and partnership of our legislative champions to promote the success of Washington’s ports. Compass Award winners demonstrate pragmatism and a bipartisan approach to policymaking. Senator Marko Liias has shown throughout his legislative career that he can get things done and work across chambers and political parties to promote the health our transportation infrastructure.
Senator Liias joined the State House of Representatives in 2008 and was appointed to the Senate seat he currently holds in 2014. Prior to his service in the House, Senator Liias served on the Mukilteo City Council starting in 2005, where he was elected at just 24 years old. He immediately engaged in transportation policy, serving on both the Community Transit Board and on the Puget Sound Regional Council. He was named Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee in his first full term representing the 21 st Legislative District in the State Capitol. He has chaired the Senate Transportation Committee since 2022 and was one of the primary architects of the Move Ahead Washington packaged passed that year.
Senator Liias was raised in Edmonds, near the port where today he received the award. In his time in the Legislature, he has been an advocate not just for the two Snohomish County ports, Edmonds and Everett, but for the port industry as a whole. That includes continued advocacy for the full funding of the Puget Sound Gateway program serving the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, and funding for the non-federal share of the Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance program on the Columbia River. Both projects exemplify the connection between Washington ports and the agricultural exporters who contribute so much to the economy of Eastern and Central Washington. Since 2023, he has sponsored legislation to create a port-specific grant program, intended to match ports investment in their own infrastructure and keep our trade sector competitive.
“Since joining the Legislature, Senator Liias has embraced the concept that transportation infrastructure investments are investments in the working people of Washington. His support for
the role that ports play in our state’s economy goes beyond his district, and has benefited trade- driven sectors across Washington, from manufacturing to agriculture,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “From a dedication to constituent service, to that broader picture of the state’s economy, our ports have long benefited from the public service of Senator Marko Liias.”
Chair Liias added: “Transportation infrastructure is not a luxury. It’s a necessity if we want our economy to continue to grow as our state grows. Ports facilitate that economic growth, and I have prioritized supporting their port investments with investments and sound transportation policy from the state. We will continue this work together in future sessions, and I look forward to continuing to advance economic opportunity for Washingtonians in partnership with the ports.”
Each year, WPPA recognizes a Democratic legislator and a Republican legislator with a Compass Award. In 2026, they made two awards on each side of the aisle. The other 2026 Compass Award winners are: Senator Shelly Short (R-7 th LD); Representative Jake Fey (D-27 th LD); and Rep. Hunter Abell (R-7 th LD). Press releases for each of those awards can be found here.
###
As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was authorized by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development districts, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.
Contact: Eric ffitch, Executive Director
360-763-1179 cell
[email protected]
