Rep. Andrew Engell joins KPQ to discuss income tax vote, rural health care, and bipartisan wins

February 27, 2026

Rep. Andrew Engell joined Chris Hansen on KPQ Radio’s Legislative Hotline to provide updates from Olympia, including a pending vote in the House Finance Committee on the proposed “millionaire’s income tax.” Engell raised concerns about the bill’s constitutionality and criticized the inclusion of an emergency clause that would make it harder for voters to challenge the measure by referendum.

Engell also highlighted successful bipartisan work on a tenant air conditioning bill. After identifying concerns about insurance requirements and mold risks tied to evaporative coolers, Engell worked with stakeholders and secured amendments to improve the legislation before it passed.

Additionally, Engell discussed his diagnostic imaging bill, which would align state law with longstanding medical practice to protect access to contrast CT scans in rural hospitals.

The conversation also covered key bills that failed to advance this session, including proposals that would have increased housing and consumer costs, reduced juvenile crime penalties, and limited local control over encampments.