Senator Holmquist honored by NFIB again

OLYMPIA – The state’s largest small-business has singled out Sen. Janéa Holmquist of Moses Lake as one of only two lawmakers to receive its Outstanding Legislator honor for the 63rd Washington State Legislature.

Holmquist is running for the old Doc Hastings 4th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first lawmaker in at least a decade to be named NFIB’s Outstanding Legislator a second time.

“While we are always eager to recognize those who stand with small business on tough votes, we do not bestow our Outstanding Legislator award lightly,” said Patrick Connor, Washington state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s Voice of Small Business.

“For one lawmaker to achieve this honor twice is unprecedented,” he added. “But no one has done more to promote and defend small business in the state Legislature than Sen. Janéa Holmquist. She has earned this distinction for her unwavering support of Main Street and her leadership on numerous bills and amendments these past two years.”

Holmquist directed the planning, drafting, testimony-scheduling and vote-getting on the most recent workers’ compensation reform package, as well as bills on teen-training wages, and small-business B&O tax-fairness amendments to last November’s special session Boeing bills.

“While others equivocate and try to cut deals, Sen. Holmquist is not afraid to say ‘no’ to bad legislation that would harm small business and stifle free enterprise,” Connor added. “Main Street can always count on Janéa to stand with us, and advance real solutions that would free entrepreneurs to create more jobs and grow our economy.”