Holmquist, Muliken awarded for support of business

| December 9, 2005 8:00 PM

MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake Republican legislators were honored this week by the Association of Washington Business for their support of business-friendly legislation in the Washington State Legislature.

Sen. Joyce Mulliken and Rep. Janea Holmquist were both awarded the 2005 Cornerstone Award Thursday for their efforts to support the business community. The legislators were presented the award by former state Rep. Gary Chandler, who now serves as AWB's vice president for government relations, at a Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting.

The association gives the award to legislators who vote for business-friendly legislation and vote against legislation that would further erode the state's competitiveness in business.

"Supporting local business is a huge priority for me and is, in fact, one of the most important aspects of our economic development efforts," Mulliken said in a news release. "Economic development has to start with keeping existing businesses strong and viable."

Mulliken said strong and growing businesses mean more jobs for the region, which she said helps attract new industries and new markets.

The AWB presents the award to legislators who vote in support of business 80 percent of the time. AWB President Don Brunell said in a news release that the Cornerstone Award is the association's way of thanking those legislators who believe in ideas like competitiveness, economic growth and job creation.

Holmquist said the state's business climate is improving, but said more can be done to bring in new jobs.

"We need to make some changes at the state level to help our small businesses become more competitive so that they may grow and create more jobs in Washington," Holmquist said, mentioning reforms including workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage.

"I want to do what I can at the regulatory level to make sure state government will be working with, not against, businesses, and provide the tools to help them be successful," she said.

— Staff report