State Reps Discuss Finding Common Ground and Upcoming Bills at Meet and Greet

The Stevens County Republican Women’s Club hosted a Meet and Greet at the Loon Lake Library with 7th District Legislators on Sept. 3. There were approximately 50 people in attendance. The event provided an opportunity for constituents to ask questions of Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville, and Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, and listen to what they’re doing in office. The event was organized by Stevens County Republican Women’s Club President Cindi White and included a potluck.

After the legislators circulated among the attendees, there was a brief speech from each legislator, followed by audience questions. Engell spoke first, sharing details of the committees he participates in and finding common ground with other legislators. “I serve on four committees. One is agriculture, involving natural resources and water rights. One is healthcare. I also serve on transportation and housing (committees). We are currently in a housing shortage. The state has been ineffective in addressing this issue. As a state, we are dead last; we pass bills that don’t address the problem,” he said. Engell continued, “I focus on common sense things. All 147 legislators are human beings. We can find common ground. Our district has issues that others in the state don’t have, such as wolves for example. I am currently working on policies that involve forestry. It’s easier to harvest trees that have already been burned. I am also working on cottage food policy: making it easier for individuals to sell food out of the house.”

Abell said, “I am thankful and happy to see a strong, vibrant county party. It is also a blessing to serve with Shelly and Andrew. We are working hard to stop bad bills.” He added, “The upcoming general election is in November. This might be the most consequential midterm election of a lifetime. If the (Democrats) get control of the House, it will be the most extreme fringe we’ve seen. We will see the use of the American Flag as a napkin and there will be another impeachment of Trump.”

Abell also spoke to the different committees he serves on and the impact he hopes they make. “The committees I serve on include finance, civil rights, judiciary, and energy and environment. I am addressing the endangered farmer’s act, which will make it affordable to families to own farms. I am also working to offer veterans free hunting licenses. We want people to get off their screens and out into the woods.” Abell also spoke to the recent wildfires that have affected the 7th District.

“Regarding the wildfires, this has been an awful fire season. We’ve had progress in state response. We are creating assistance programs for individuals who lost their homes in fires. Also, insurance programs for people in our district, and access to disaster recovery funds.” Short, who has served since 2017, spoke about how bills can impact local residents and farmers. She began, “It is an honor to be a voice for you. My position is about you and not me. I am on the natural resources committee and the energy and environmental committee.”

She continued,“We just killed an awful bill on artifact preservation. It is about oversight responsibility. This is the most consequential part of what we do. For example, I work with (the Department of) Ecology’s handling of water quality in the Upper Colville River. What bothers me is that even if you own property, they will use their laws to come after you. Any potential surface water can affect water quality. The Department of Agriculture is now saying that mud puddles are considered surface water. “There are current issues with water rights hurting farmers. Ecology cut water rights in half. But they didn’t get away with it.”Short also addressed wildfires in the region.

“Regarding the wildfires, we need to make sure that the Department of Natural Resources has funding. This is how the local districts can help. They know the land but are often ignored.” After the individual presentations, the three encouraged constituents to vote yes on each of the following items: keeping boys out of girls’ sports; restoring parental rights; and repealing the income tax. Afterwards, they answered questions from the audience. Engell was asked to elaborate on restoring parental rights in schools; he shared his belief that parents should have the right to make decisions on their children's behalf regarding gender changes. Abell was asked about the condition of the Washington budget.

He said, “The (Democrats) will always say we are in a deficit. The deficit will increase as long as the (Democrats) continue spending money for their programs. We actually have plenty of money.” Short was asked if the Department of Ecology is a nonprofit, to which she responded, “The department is nonprofit. It’s about letting the public know that it is not okay to have these regulations.” After a discussion of the Department of Ecology claiming the right to fence off privately-owned property in the name of preserving land that might affect wildlife preservation, Short said those efforts won’t help and that, “Ecology is regulating based on visual inspection” as opposed to testing.

To contact Short, email her at Shelly.Short@leg. wa.gov or call 360-786- 7612. Engell can be reached via email at andrew.engell@leg.wa.gov or by calling 360-786- 7908. To contact Abell, email him at hunter. abell@leg.wa.gov or call 360-786-7988.