By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight we continue our series of interviews taking one more look at the candidates i two contested local races, leading up to the weekend during which most voters turn in their ballots. WSB team members sat down recently with all four of those candidates individually for wide-ranging interviews/conversations, recorded on video. We began last night with Mary Anito, who’s seeking the 34th District State House Position 2 seat, and continue tonight with incumbent Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon.
He was first elected in 2010, succeeding Sharon Nelson (for whom he had been working) when she moved up to the State Senate. (His bio’s on his campaign website.) The state Public Disclosure Commission website says he’s brought in $212,000+ in contributions – almost 20 times Anito’s $11,000+. He lives in West Seattle.
After the unedited video of our interview is a summary of the Q&A comprising our conversation; the solo interviewer was WSB’s Torin Record-Sand. Both questions and answers are paraphrased, except for what you see within quote marks.
WSB: Tell us about yourself and why you’re running for re-election.
FITZGIBBON: I’ve served for 16 years, nine years as chair of the Environment and Energy Committee, last four as House Majority Leader, which means working on the state operating budget. “Millionaires Tax” helping us stabilize budget. Running for reelection because I think my record shows I can deliver big important things.
WSB: What does the job look like day to day?
FITZGIBBON: First and foremost I represent the 34th District (geography has changed with redistricting).So Job 1 is to hear from people in the community about what they want from state government. So most of my time in and out of session is meeting with people from community to hear what they care about.
WSB: Examples of that?
FITZGIBBON: Lists recent meetings with candidate forums (all of which we covered – Chamber of Commerce here, Alki Community Council here, Morgan Community Association here), but also available to go grab a cup of coffee with a constituent.
WSB: So what do you actually do as House Majority Leader?
FITZGIBBON: Liaison with legislators who work on the operating budget. Decide on referring bills to committees.Talking with the other legislative caucuses. Meet regularly with governor and his staff. Also supervises the committees in the House – 19 standing committees – see what their issues and challenges are.
WSB: What were your biggest successes in the past year?
FITZGIBBON: Biggest tax reform in 93 years. “Income tax on the highest-earning households in the state.” Asked people who pay very little tax to pay this so we can “fund core services like K-12 and health care.” Accompanied by tax cuts that guess less attention – no sales tax on diapers, hygiene items … Also “largest small-business tax cut in state history.” Exempt from B&O tax up to $250,000. …Also “worked hard on three different pieces of climate legislation that passed”: Amended the Climate Commitment Act, helped pass that in 2021 – ensuring Centralia coal plant won’t reopen, closing loopholes, changing revenue use. … 2025 tough budget year, had to cancel or delay some things but passed $1.4 billion for special education.
WSB: What about failures/disappointments?
FITZGIBBON: One thing the general public might not understand – some budgetary allocations require bills for related actions – and those don’t always pass. (Cites this situation and data-center-oversight bill passed by State House, “stalled in Senate.” Expects that to be back.)
WSB: Data centers seem like a bigger issue in other areas.
FITZGIBBON: Yes, but there are rate impacts here, for example. “The electricity market is very interconnected.”
WSB: Your central issues beyond what we’ve discussed?
FITZGIBBON: Looking into the future, sustainability of our budget and cost of living in our state.
WSB: Housing affordability?
FITZGIBBON: Weighs heavily on cost of living – we’ve taken a lot of steps, investment in deeply affordable housing, limit on rent increases, dent in housing shortage – peoople are coming here for various reasons, not just jobs – more multiplexes, ADUs, which he sees in his neighborhood (Highland Park). Thinks the zoning changes are having effects but can still streamline so we have more places to live.
WSB: With city/county responsibilities in permitting, how much influence can state legislators have?
FITZGIBBON: There are some policies we can mandate that local governments follow. Mentions city requirements for a third-party review adding cost. Talks about some ways the state can help cities with speeding up permitting.
WSB: How to deal with prices and how taxes affect them?
FITZGIBBON: Lot of changes in taxes but some haven’t taken effect yet so we need to “let the dust settle” on those before “doing more open-heart surgery” on the tax code. Health care is a big cost driver. Could increase access and lower costs of dental care by creating a new licensing category, for example. Energy is another example: If we can “bring down the costs of electricity,” that would help. Passed the Clean Electricity law in 2019, good time to go back and see what’s working and what’s not.
WSB: Some people would like someone to snap fingers and bring down prices. Sounds like you think change will come more slowly.
FITZGIBBON: Some things we can’t change, like tariffs; federal deficits keeping interest rates high, harder to get a mortgage, student loan, etc. Some things we can help with – have seen rents decline in Seattle … Health care is harder because everybody’s needs are different…
WSB: The state initiatives?
FITZGIBBON: No on all three. Re: repealing “millionaires’ tax” – we were one of nine states without a personal income tax, now there are eight. (We ask them to explain that in light of laws seeming to prohibit it. Fitzgibbon says he believes the court case should be overturned.) Repeal initiative would not repeal the tax cuts paid for by “millionaires’ tax” or programs like school meals. So if repealed, budget would be in a world of hurt.
Keeping trans girls out of sports – It’s the way it’s written. Invasive exams. Has a 2-year-old daughter, does not want her to have to face being subjected to those exams. Thinks it’s overreach compared to other states’ laws.
Re: “parents rights” initiative, wish every kid could comfortably take issues to parents but that’s not always possible.
WSB: Besides opposing those specific measures, what more could you do legislatively?
FITZGIBBON: Taxes … we are still too reliant on property tax and sales tax. The sales-tax exemptions we passed were a start. We also hear from people about pet food – should that be exempt? On property tax, we’ve passed some laws for seniors, for example. Property taxes feel like they hit hard because they’re paid in bigger chunks.
WSB: Re: millionaires’ tax, going for anything more in that vein?
FITZGIBBON: No. Our 9.9 percent is similar to Oregon, good to be close to where your neighbors are. “I also don’t think we should tap levels of income below a million.” That’s not to say a future Legislature wouldn’t consider it. But we don’t think that’s the right thing to do, nor does the governor.
WSB: And re: trans rights, anything more you could do?
FITZGIBBON: “I don’t know the next step we could take to protect trans rights because Washington State has pretty strong protections today …” Then adds that LGBTQ youth are “overrepresented” in homeless population because families kicked them out, so support network could be beefed up.
WSB: Could federal rules affect state documentation regarding gender identity?
FITZGIBBON: I’m “pretty optimistic those federal changes aren’t going to last.” Our state will keep protecting people’s rights to identify.
WSB: District issues?
FITZGIBBON: Transportation – unique geographic needs such as Vashon/Maury with the ferries, for example, as evidenced during recent day of system’s near-shutdown. Made investments in RapidRide, converting 120 to H Line. “I’m on that bus a lot.” Also worked to get funding to expand Vashon passenger-ferry (Water Taxi) service. Some of that has run out; have to work in next session to get it restored. Mentions South Park Bridge rebuild, though it was more than a few years ago. Also, Pioneer Square safety, low law-enforcement staffing in White Center … state has stepped up to support hiring but still a challenge for local jurisdictions.
WSB: Difference with your opponent – for example, you mentioned special education funding, but she says it’s inadequate.
FITZGIBBON: “There will always be more needs than we can fund” and in this area, the need continues to grow. (Goes into history and context.) Property-rich districts say, just let us charge more tax, but disparity would grow with not-so-rich districts. … Regarding opponent, “it’s easy to say ‘we should do more in’ (various areas) but ‘taxes are too high’… You can’t lower taxes and increase funding for K-12 education.”
WSB: Your opponent is a proponent of universal health care. Anything more you would do toward that, beyond what you’ve mentioned?
FITZGIBBON: I absolutely support universal health care. But it would be hard to do on a state level. Lot of WA people get federal health care. Never been able to get feds to agree to turn over all that money so we can provide it instead. “I think Congress should pass a national universal health care bill.” Who are the people who are uninsured or uninsured – that’s who the state can help.
WSB: Dichotomy between effective governance and progressive values?
FITZGIBBON: Example, 2019 we passed expensive but effective college tuition assistance. Maybe you could say, we should cut back … but it’s helping more people get to college. Child care …we’ve had to slow down implementation of assistance, but it’s working. “I’m proud of those investments” but we have to balance the budget and have to make hard choices, tradeoffs, compromises every year.
WSB: Anything more you want to say?
FITZGIBBON: I’m not the most performative or flashy legislator … but proud of what I get done.
NEXT UP: Our “one more look” interviews with the King County Council District 8 candidates, Nick Duda and incumbent Teresa Mosqueda. Haven’t voted yet? Here’s what to know.