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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Even as a freshman legislator, I’m already being asked by constituents, “How can I help stop bad bills?” I’m pleased to tell you that we have a new, impactful, easy-to-use solution!
Visit our new website here or click on the image below.
The website will have tabs that you can then click on to be taken to various bills. It will look like this:
Each one of the bills above are “Bad Bills.” By visiting our new site, you can view the bill, read why we think it’s a bad bill, take a survey, monitor the progress of the bill, submit written testimony, sign up to testify remotely, watch the committee, and even share your story on how the issue has impacted you or why you think it’s bad!
Why do this? Oftentimes, we use constituent examples on the House floor or in committee while debating an issue to make our point. We need to show “real life” stories. The other side is very good at “humanizing” issues and ignoring many of the facts. We need help in humanizing our side of the story. I hope you engage!
Wolf bill update – I will not compromise on grizzly bears to get my bill passed!
My bill (HB 1311) to down-list wolves from “endangered” to “sensitive” is dead. It had a very positive public hearing and was on the way to passing out of the committee with support from most, if not all, democrat members of the committee. Right before my bill came up for a vote, we were also voting on legislation that could very well (and most likely WOULD) lead to the state reintroducing grizzly bears in our region, once again using our district and Central Washington as the guinea pigs.
The chair of the committee leaned over to the ranking member and whispered to him, who then leaned over to me and said, “Are you voting yes the grizzly bear bill?” To which I replied, “Absolutely not!” I was then told that if I didn’t vote ‘yes’ on the grizzly bear bill, that my wolf bill would be killed.
I couldn’t do it. As much as we need relief and movement on the wolf issue, I will not compromise my belief that Northeast and Central Washington should not be the testing grounds for wildlife management decisions made by Seattle politicians. I do not believe this is something you elected me to do. Unfortunately, because I wouldn’t take a bad vote, my good bill was denied a vote in committee and died.
Pages
It’s not too late to apply for the Page experience! I encourage your child, grandchild, niece or nephew to apply to be a Page. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about our form of government, civic responsibilities and engagement, and the rights and liberties our Founding Fathers fought to protect. All while earning $65/day? The Washington State Page program is an excellent program offered by the Legislature. Click here to learn more about the Page program, the requirements, process, and a FAQ. Click here for the Page application.
I had the opportunity to participate in a TVW program and answer questions directly from Pages. I was impressed with the research, knowledge, and energy each Page put into this project. Being a Page is something a student will never regret nor forget.
A visit from Chewelah students
It was great to have Seniors from Chewelah’s Jenkins High School visit us in Olympia. The students are part of the school’s political science class and were given a warm welcome when introduced to the House Republican Caucus in our caucus room. No matter their political persuasion, it was so encouraging to see these bright minds experience Olympia and the state government process firsthand.
Telephone Town Hall
I want to invite you to our 7th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall meeting on March 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. I have heard that our district has had the best attendance and engagement for over a decade. I hope this tradition continues as I know so many of you have questions, concerns, ideas for legislation, and stories to tell. We will send out phone calls throughout the district to remind and invite folks to attend. But you can also call (509) 361-1818 DURING the event (not before).
Radio is still alive in the 7th LD
I have done several radio interviews, alone and with my seatmates, Sen. Shelly Short and Rep. Hunter Abell. You can listen to these below:
- Rep. Engell joins Glenn Vaagen from the Pacific NW Ag Network to discuss his legislation to down-list wolves, the Ag Overtime bill, and more.
- Capitol Report podcast (3min): Wolf management and rural housing.
- Capitol Report podcast (3min): Children’s Day and access to research for state agency policy makers.
- Reps. Engell and Abell join Jeff Conwell from KOZI radio to discuss ‘dead/alive’ bills, taking drivers per mile (RUC), hiring more law enforcement officers.
- Reps. Engell and Abell join Chris Hansen from KPQ radio to discuss parental rights, property tax bills, wolves and more.
- Rep. Engell joins Glenn Vaagen from the Pacific NW Ag Network to discuss Gov. Ferguson’s Fish and Wildlife Commission appointments, salmon, fur farming, wolves, and more.
- Reps. Engell and Abell join Doug Nadvornick from Spokane Public Radio to discuss the legislative session.
- Reps. Engell and Abell, and Sen. Shelly Short, join Tracy Ellis on KOMW radio and the Open-Line program.
- Capitol Report podcast (3min): Early wins and losses at the halfway mark.
You can also watch my TVW Legislator Profile here.
Thank you for reading my legislative update. Please contact my office with questions or concerns about your state government. It is honor to serve you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Andrew Engell
