Although the Washington State Legislature doesn’t officially reconvene until January, committees are meeting next week, and legislators are starting to think about what’s ahead. The three who represent our area – State House Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon and State Sen. Joe Nguyen, all West Seattleites, though they represent a district that also stretches south including White Center and west including Vashon and Maury Islands – had a mini-town hall at Wednesday night’s 34th District Democrats meeting. Each was given some time to talk about what’ll be big this year. Here are highlights of what they said:

REP. JOE FITZGIBBON: The past session “made the most progress on climate change,” including the clean-fuel standard, steps toward phasing out a greenhouse gas, the Healthy Environment Act, phasing out plastic waste … “We got a lot done but we have a lot more to do.” De-carbonize building and water heating is a priority, with a package of bills “to accelerate the transition from gas and oil heating to electric” due next session. Methane, the second-most-impactful greenhouse gas, will be a target this session too, “particularly from landfills, the largest source of methane” in our state. He said there are also some clarifications and loose ends to be tackled. Also, he’s working on bills targeting appliance energy-efficiency standards, phasing out PCAS, addressing salmon recovery (riparian-area protection among other things). He also said they remain hopeful a transportation package will pass this year, including transit, ferry funding, and a contribution to West Seattle Bridge repair.

REP. EILEEN CODY: She reminded everyone “we’re going into a short session” – most of it by Zoom – so it’ll be intense and “problematic, we’re kind of concerned about what we’ll be able to push through this year. She’s focused on the health-care work force – which has suffered a pandemic-related toll. “We’re facing a huge nursing shortage … home health aides … mental health …” and shortages are worsening. To address it, they’re working with hospitals and the education system to increase the slots available – 50 percent of people who apply to nursing programs don’t get in. So they’re working on ways to increase that. Equity issues are a focus as well, such as trying to improve health care for undocumented people. Just this week her attention was called to another idea, that prescriptions are written in patients’ languages; Oregon passed a bill recently, so she’s working on one for Washington. Other focuses: Charity care – though she expects it to trigger a “huge fight,” as it has in the past. The insurance commissioner is working on a bill she’ll sponsor regarding “surprise billing.” Other consumer issues on her radar include a “co-pay accumulator” regarding medication and telehealth legislation involving removing certain fees for people paying out of pocket. The Long-Term Care Act is likely to see some changes, especially for people who are “clsoe to retirement and would not be vested.”

SEN. JOE NGUYEN: He’s looking at how the infrastructure and Build Back Better funds forthcoming from the feds will be allocated. Also: Housing affordability, investment in basic needs. He’s also hopeful that a transportation package will get passed; Rep. Steve Hobbs will no longer be chairing the Transportation Committee since he just got appointed Secretary of State. Nguyen expects “someone more progressive” will succeed him. Next week is Committee Week “to go over some initial thoughts for our legislative session.” Nguyen also noted that the state budget forecasts are looking better than expected.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS: Rep. Cody was asked about the legislation “to stop corporate health-care takeovers.” Rep. Cody said that will be going through Judiciary, not Health Care (which she chairs). She said it doesn’t stop takeovers but would strengthen Attorney General ability to look at takeovers and ensure services aren’t lost. “It’s going to be a hard session for the hospital association.” She was also asked about the challenge to the Long-Term Care Act. She’s aware of it. For Rep. Fitzgibbon: “Has all #5 plastic been banned?” No. But three applications of Styrofoam are, starting in a couple years. For Rep. Cody: What can she do to promote universal health care/Medicare expansion? The latter, nothing, because it’s federal; the former, the state can’t afford unless they get federal funds. Another question for her: Why are half of all nursing applicants not getting accepted? Not enough room in the programs – not enough nursing educators, not enough clinical placements for trainees at hospitals. Pediatrics, mental health, OB/GYN are the ones particularly short in training space, she said. Another question for her: What will happen with the Universal Health Care Commission? It’ll start meeting next year. Next question: Any hope of funding to increase school counselors and other support staff? Rep. Fitzgibbon said it’s “something we want to do” but it’s “extremely expensive” so depends on how the revenue looks. 2021 had a lot of tax increases so 2022 is less likely to do, given it’s an election year, he added. For Sen. Nguyen, a question about money to reduce homelessness. He said it’ll be a priority “across the board.” When will the Legislature act on redistricting? Rep. Fitzgibbon said that’s not the Legislature’s action to take – it’s the Redistricting Commission. If they deadlock, it goes to the State Supreme Court, but “that’s never happened.” Rep. Cody clarified that legislators vote on it, but need a supermajority agreement for changing with the commission comes up with. Regarding possible changes to the 34th, Fitzgibbon said he doesn’t think the commissioners will substantially change the makeup of this district. He doesn’t favor the option that would remove Burien from the 34th.

Next question: What about guaranteed basic income? Sen. Nguyen said he supports it; it’s being studied. Fitzgibbon and Cody voiced support too; she added, “Gotta figure out how to pay for it.” Last question: Could homelessness and pandemics be added to the Growth Management Act? Fitzgibbon said the former is addressed to some degree but he’s not sure how the latter would/could be addressed.

Got a question for the legislators? Here’s where to find their addresses.