Rep. Angel Awarded for Supporting Businesses, Employers

Information provided by Washington House Republicans.

Association of Washington Business (AWB) has awarded Rep. Jan Angel with its Cornerstone Award for her support of employers and business-related issues in the Legislature. The award was presented to Angel Thursday on the floor of the Washington House of Representatives by Gary Chandler, AWB vice president of government affairs.

“We are pleased to present Representative Angel with our 2011 Cornerstone Award for her ongoing support of private employers and businesses in Washington state,” said Chandler. “Representative Angel has a strong record of supporting measures that help Washington state’s competitiveness and its ability to attract and retain businesses, which is especially critical during these tough economic times.”

AWB presents the annual award to legislators who have an 80 percent or better voting record with the association. It scored Angel with 100 percent favorable voting for business-related issues during 2011. The previous year was 90 percent, giving Angel a 91 percent lifetime voting average with AWB. This year has yet to be rated since the Legislature finished its regular session March 8 and is now in special session.

“I’m very honored to receive this award. Many of the problems we have with the state budget could be solved if we could get more people working in the private sector,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard.

“Government needs to work with our employers – not over them, and foster productivity – not stifle it. To achieve that goal, we need to focus efforts in the Legislature to provide certainty to employers, reduce excessive and unnecessary regulations, increase the speed in which permits are granted, and avoid burdensome tax increases so that businesses can retain and create jobs. I appreciate AWB’s efforts and its support as we seek solutions that would get Washington working again.”

Formed in 1904, AWB is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association. It serves as the state’s chamber of commerce and includes more than 7,800 members representing 650,000 employees.