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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
With less than two weeks to go in the 2025 legislative session, there are still major issues undergoing intense negotiations. The state’s two-year operating budget appears to be an effort between Democrats in the House and Senate trying to figure out how to structure the largest tax increase in state history and how to spend it. While the governor has said he wants budget reductions and protection of the state’s rainy day fund to be part of the solution, legislative budget writers don’t seem inclined to agree. Rumors of a special session abound as one-party control in Olympia appears to be breaking down a bit.
The transportation and capital (construction) budget are both down from expected revenues. Lawmakers are trying to determine if a gas tax or a road usage charge (RUC, formerly Vehicle Miles Travelled Tax) should be part of transportation funding. The state’s “cap and trade (tax)” and the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) fees are expected to increase as well. See the graphic below for the potential impact on the price of fuel if several new tax and fees are implemented as planned. I oppose any tax increases. We can balance our budget AND take care of our citizens’ needs without taking more money from their wallets.
Governor signs my Group B water systems bill
The governor signed my first bill last week. House Bill 1947 reduces bureaucracy surrounding small water systems. It would allow others to join an existing well (up to 9 connection). It also removes the requirement that these Group B water systems be managed by a satellite system management agency if certain requirements are met. This “middle man” serves a bureaucratic layer we can do without.
In a fantastic twist of fate, students from Log Church Christian School in Brewster were paying a visit to the Capitol and met with their 7th Legislative District team (see picture below).
They then were able to join me for the bill-signing ceremony with Gov. Bob Ferguson. I was pleased the governor engaged the students, included them in the photo, and encouraged them to learn more about the legislative process. I know the students felt inspired and I hope it leads them to great things down the road. I want to thank the students for making this such a great and memorable experience!
Controversial new rule shuts down debate on parents’ rights
At the beginning of session, Democrats deleted a House rule that’s been in place since 1893. Previously, it took a two-thirds vote of the representatives in the House to end debate on a bill and move to immediately vote on the legislation. This provision was reduced to a simple majority of legislators present.
Why is this important? Debate, discussion, and informed deliberation on bills is absolutely key to our Democratic Republic and to make sure all opinions, facts, and impacts of the legislation have been aired on the House floor before voting. To end debate on a bill and “call for the previous question,” as it is known in parliamentary terms, is a very serious rule. It is there to make sure the minority view is represented and the voices of ALL constituents in the state are heard and accounted for. By making this a simple majority vote, the majority party can end debate on any bill at any time! This sets a dangerous precedent of tyrannical and dictatorial rule.
Democrats used this rule yesterday to end debate on legislation (SB 5181) to change the Parents’ Rights Initiative (I-2081) which passed the Legislature last year and was signed by nearly half a million voters. What’s even more troubling was they used this new rule to end debate twice! First, on an amendment that would take away an emergency clause on SB 5191, which would have allowed voters to alter the law immediately by referendum. And second, to end final debate on the bill. BOTH uses were directly tied to silencing the voice of the minority party which still represents well over three million voters in this state!
This unprecedented action makes you wonder what other debates will they end? What other legislation are they pushing that makes them feel so uncomfortable that they have to shut down debate?
As we hit the home stretch of the legislative session, please continue to reach out with questions, concerns, and ideas to better our state government. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as your state representative and I look forward to working for you in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Andrew Engell
