Schmick receives award from business group for legislative efforts

Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, received the 2011 Cornerstone Award from the Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) for his efforts to protect jobs, spur local economic development and create an employer-friendly environment in the state of Washington.

Gary Chandler, AWB’s Vice President of government affairs, presented the award to Schmick last week at the state Capitol in Olympia.

“Last year was an important legislative year for Washington’s economy,” said Chandler. “We appreciate Representative Schmick’s leadership on these issues and his commitment to creating the right conditions for employers and free enterprise to succeed in Washington state.”

AWB’s Cornerstone Awards are presented annually to Washington state legislators who have an 80 percent or better voting record with the association. The group publishes its voting record after each legislative session as a supplement to its magazine, Washington Business.

The vote record includes the member’s percentage of AWB supported votes in 2011 and 2010, as well as their lifetime AWB average and their score as calculated by the Washington State Labor Council.

“The Association of Washington Businesses is an organization that works very hard to help foster an atmosphere that is friendly and accommodating to employers. It is an honor to be recognized by them,” said Schmick. “Through all the budget debate over the last few years, we’ve tried to bring the importance of jobs and supporting our local employers to the forefront of the discussion. As elected officials, we need to do all we can at the state and local level to help protect jobs. And, as a farmer and small business owner, I know what it’s like to have to wade through bureaucratic red tape and face the cumbersome regulatory burden of a sometimes-overzealous state government. Having folks who watch out for our employers and who are focused on job creation is a huge benefit for Washington citizens.”