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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2026 legislative session is now underway, and it is already clear that budget pressures and renewed calls for tax increases will dominate the conversation in Olympia. After last year’s historic tax hikes, Washington families and employers are once again being told they may need to pay more to cover the consequences of unchecked spending.
That is not a sustainable approach, and it should concern everyone.
Budget pressures and the tax debate
Despite more than $9 billion in new taxes approved last session, the state is facing a projected shortfall in the current biennium and a much larger gap in the four-year outlook. That reality underscores a hard truth: raising taxes did not fix the problem. And yet, we’re already seeing significant tax increase proposals from the majority party:
- A 9.9% state income tax starting with high earners.
- A new wealth tax that would hurt job growth and send investors fleeing.
- A new payroll tax on wages over $125,000, paid by employers and threatening family-wage jobs.
- A higher real estate excise tax (REET) that will make housing even less affordable.
- An 11% tax on firearms, ammunition, and parts targeting lawful citizens rather than criminals.
This session, I will continue to oppose new and higher taxes and push for a more disciplined approach to budgeting. State government should be held to the same standard as the families and small businesses it represents. Before asking anyone to pay more, lawmakers must demonstrate that existing dollars are being used responsibly and effectively.
A focus on practical, results-driven solutions
There is a better fiscal way forward, and it starts with prioritizing affordability, accountability, and core services. House Republicans have offered a no-new-taxes budget framework focused on right-sizing government and measuring results, not simply expanding programs and hoping for better outcomes. Our four main budget principles are:
- No new taxes, rein in reckless spending, and tax relief.
- Strengthen healthcare and food security for Washington citizens.
- Restore critical programs, especially for our most vulnerable people.
- Budgeting based on results, accountability, and core priorities.
Our “Affordability First: A Budget for the Working Class” is simply good budgeting, not about ideology. It is about making clear choices, protecting essential services, and ensuring taxpayer dollars actually deliver what was promised.
Legislation grounded in fairness and common sense
Alongside budget issues, I am working on legislation that reflects concerns I hear directly from constituents.
One priority is House Bill 2250, which clarifies hospital charity care eligibility so that limited resources are focused on low-income Washington residents while fully preserving emergency care for everyone. With hospitals facing staffing shortages and capacity constraints, this bill helps protect access, reduce wait times, and prevent costs from being shifted onto local patients. This bill has a public hearing next week on Tuesday, January 27 in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. To sign up to testify remotely or submit written testimony, click here. You can read my press release on this bill here, or listen to my radio release here.
I am also advancing House Bill 2114, a simple consumer-focused fix that would reduce or eliminate fees when vehicle license plates become unreadable well before their expected lifespan. When a state-issued product fails early, people should not be penalized to correct it. Sally Estes, a constituent, came to me with the idea for the bill. Her license plate was used in committee as an example.
In addition, I continue to work on responsible wildlife management legislation that recognizes conservation success while giving professionals the flexibility they need to manage conflicts and protect rural communities.
These efforts reflect my approach in Olympia: practical solutions, bipartisan cooperation when possible, and policies grounded in reality rather than rhetoric.
Learning from leaders across the West
During the interim, I was honored to be selected for the 2025 Western Legislative Academy, a competitive leadership program hosted by The Council of State Governments West.
The academy brought together early-career legislators from across Western states for intensive training on legislative institutions, negotiation, and effective policymaking. Just as valuable were the candid conversations with lawmakers from other states about what policies have worked and what have not.
That experience reinforced the importance of thoughtful, professional lawmaking and focusing on outcomes and collaboration rather than division. I am committed to bringing those lessons back home and using them to better serve Northeast Washington.
Encouraging civic engagement: legislative pages
One of the most rewarding parts of each session is welcoming legislative pages to Olympia. The Page Program gives students under 17 a firsthand look at how government works while earning $65 per day and building a strong foundation for civic engagement.
If you know a student who may be interested:
- Page Program information
- Page application
I will continue to share updates as the session moves forward. My focus remains steady: responsible budgeting, practical legislation, and accountable government that respects the people it serves.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Andrew Engell
