Andrew Engell

Hunter Abell

In this KOMW interview, Reps. Andrew Engell and Hunter Able discuss recent updates to the state budget, including funding for education, infrastructure, and public health. They highlight new investments in K-12 schools, vocational training, broadband expansion, and rural healthcare access. The lawmakers also address economic recovery efforts, small business support, and ongoing work to improve public safety. Both stress the importance of community engagement and transparency through town halls and constituent outreach.

03-31-25 - RADIO: Rep. Abell and Rep. Engell join Sen. Shelly Short for KOMW's legislative update

Rep. Hunter Abell, Rep. Andrew Engell, and Sen. Shelly Short give a legislative update on KOMW. They discuss the final weeks of session, the budgets, their bills, visits by constituents, and more.

04-07-25 - RADIO: Reps. Abell and Engell give a legislative update on KOMW radio

Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville, criticizes the majority party’s approach to budgeting, citing overspending and unrealistic expectations of future revenue growth. He warns against using speculative income to justify creating new, long-term government programs. Engell emphasizes the need to return government focus to its core duties — protecting life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — rather than assuming an endless supply of taxpayer dollars.

04-04-25 – RADIO: Capitol Report with Rep. Engell: Budgeting with reality, not wishful thinking

Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, raises serious concerns about Senate Bill 5093, which would remove the crime of concealing a birth. He describes the bill as anti-life and dangerous, arguing it removes critical protections for the most vulnerable — infants with no control over their circumstances.

04-11-25 – RADIO: Capitol Report with Rep. Abell: Speaking up for the voiceless

Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Inchelium, expresses concern over a major rule change in the House that now allows a simple majority to end debate, replacing a 132-year tradition requiring a two-thirds vote. He says this silenced millions of Washingtonians during debate on legislation that made sweeping changes to the Parents' Bill of Rights. Engell notes his amendment was blocked without proper full-length discussion and that two Democrat lawmakers privately expressed disappointment over how the rule was used.

04-18-25 RADIO: Capitol Report with Rep. Engell: Silencing voices on the Parents' Bill of Rights

The three 7th Legislative District legislators give an update on the 2025 legislative session. They discuss Democrat tax proposals including an increase in the B&O tax, property tax, hunting and fishing license fees, and more.

04-21-25 - RADIO: 7th District legislators join Tracy Ellis for a KOMW update

SUGGESTED LEAD: Governor Bob Ferguson will have his first chance to fill a vacancy on the Washington State Supreme Court once Justice Mary Yu retires in December. A Republican state lawmaker is calling on Ferguson to appoint a nominee favored from both sides of the political aisle. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: Representative Hunter Abell says a disturbing trend has developed in recent years in which senior level judges depart before their term expires, giving the governor the opportunity to appoint their successor without public input. He says that creates an appearance of political parties stacking the bench in their favor.

ABELL: “When you’ve got a majority of the Supreme Court and almost 80 percent of the Court of Appeals appointed by the governor with no input from the Legislature, then it starts to look like the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals are wholly owned subsidiaries of the governor’s mansion. And we can’t have that.”

SATTGAST: The Inchelium Republican says Ferguson needs to appoint someone who is universally recognized as nonpartisan and will pledge to serve only as a caretaker for the rest of Justice Yu’s term, until citizens vote for a new high court judge late next year.

ABELL: “He’s got a real opportunity here to build and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in our judiciary or just keep doing the same bad old habits.”

SATTGAST: Abell hopes his legislation to require state Senate confirmation of gubernatorial high court appointees will pick up support, now that a real example is being played out.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.


09-17-25 - RADIO REPORT: Abell calls on Ferguson to fill Supreme Court Justice Yu's vacancy with nonpartisan appointee

This is the official SoundCloud account of the Washington State House Republicans in Olympia, Washington. (www.houserepublicans.wa.gov)

04-07-25 - RADIO: Reps. Abell and Engell give a legislative update on KOMW radio

Wash. House Republicans