Olympia was on a lot of minds last night as this area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, gathered for the first time since their January reorganization meeting. West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen spoke toward meeting’s end about a measure that he’d just gone to the state capital to support – House Bill 1536, proposing a vehicle-licensing fee for two years to shore up transit funding and stave off cuts. (West Seattle’s State House Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon are among the sponsors.) Rasmussen said its prospects look “favorable,” though all it would do is buy time until a more stable source of longterm funding is found. More from the 34th DDs’ meeting ahead:

Also regarding Olympia – the 34th DDs are participating in the annual lobbying day coming up on February 21st, and organizing a carpool meetup in Burien … They’re also looking all the way ahead to next year’s presidential election; in opening remarks, chair Tim Nuse insisted, “There are a lot of reasons for hope,” citing party enthusiasm, but observing that “Electing Obama again is something we cannot take for granted.” He also pointed out that redistricting means the 34th DDs are likely to be involved in U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee‘s campaign for the first time; he’s expected to be challenged by Republican state Attorney General Rob McKenna, who, Nuse contended, “is painting himself as a moderate Republican, but he’s not.”

Other meeting toplines:

PORT OF SEATTLE ISSUES: Featured speaker Heather Weiner, political-action director for Teamsters Joint Council 28 and a veteran political strategist, talked about ongoing issues from a labor/environmental standpoint. While making it clear her opinions were hers and not necessarily those of her employer, she discussed a contention that the port is “phasing out” family-wage jobs (for 1,000 concessions workers) and environmental programs. Many other issues surfaced, including questions about where the port is going to get the $300 million it committed to the Highway 99 tunnel proposal. The program also was supposed to include the port’s viewpoint from Commissioner Gael Tarleton, but she canceled. A motion was passed, made by member Christy Stapleton, to organize a wide-ranging forum on port issues on an unspecified future date, with representation from multiple viewpoints.

COMMUNICATIONS PLAN: The 34th DDs are continuing to beef up both internal and external communication; Les Treall mentioned the new Facebook page they’ll use as one more way to make announcements and distribute links to their website. (The group’s latest monthly newsletter is here.)

HOUSING AUTHORITY RESOLUTION: After discussion and a vote, the group is on the record as supporting this resolution regarding the Seattle Housing Authority’s impending Yesler Terrace redevelopment downtown. The resolution put forth by the Seattle Displacement Coalition, whose leader John Fox spoke briefly, asks SHA to replace all of Yesler Terrace’s current 560-plus public-housing units on the Yesler Terrace site, instead of replacing some offsite.

OTHER NOTES: The meeting included a moment of silence for the people in Egypt seeking to “pave their own future,” as Nuse put it. … The group met in the Vashon Room at The Hall at Fauntleroy last night than the biggest room where they’ve gathered for years, and Nuse says they’ll be there several more times this year because of booking conflicts … Diversity chair Tamsen Spengler is organizing child care for members who want to come but would have to bring their kids.

The 34th District Democrats meet the second Wednesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.