Meet Marko Liias: Candidate for 21st District

Editor's note: Patch has submitted questionnaires to state representative candidates in the 21st District, which includes portions of Edmonds, as well as Mukilteo and portions of Lynnwood and Everett.

NAME: Marko Liias
 
OFFICE SOUGHT: State Representative
 
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
 
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Everett, WA
 
CURRENT OCCUPATION: State Representative
 
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I owned and operated a small business for five years and learned how hard it can be to survive in a tough economy.
 
WEBSITE: markoliias.com

WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT:
Ensuring that state government lives within its means and makes the best use of taxpayer dollars is the most important issue the Legislature must tackle as we write another two-year budget for the state in January.
 
IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
Our work isn’t done and that is why I am asking for your vote again. We must fully fund our schools, support small businesses and create jobs. If you send me back to Olympia, I will continue to work hard to find common sense solutions. I ask for your vote.
 
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE REFERENDUM 74: SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL IN WASHINGTON? BRIEFLY, WHY?
I was a cosponsor of the marriage equality bill, because I believe that gay and lesbian couples should have the same right to declare their love and commitment as others. I don’t believe any politician should be able to tell us who we can love and marry.
 
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE, INITIATIVE 502 TO MAKE SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA LEGAL TO PEOPLE 21 AND OLDER? BRIEFLY, WHY?
I support I-502, because I believe that scarce taxpayers dollars are better spent tackling drug cartels and drug traffickers, not on prosecuting citizens for marijuana use. I don’t smoke tobacco or marijuana, but I don’t believe adults should be put in jail if they choose to smoke, either.