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Bailey presented with NFIB
small business award
Association
calls Bailey’s voting record ‘absolutely stellar’
The National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB) today presented
Rep.
Barbara Bailey,
R-Oak Harbor, with its Guardian of Small Business Award in recognition
of her support and voting record on small business issues.
The award was presented to Bailey by Washington State NFIB Director
Carolyn Logue during a live broadcast on KLKI radio in Anacortes. Logue
noted that Bailey holds a 100-percent lifetime voting record supporting
small businesses.
"Unlike a lot of weathervane legislators who turn this way and that to
accommodate the prevailing political winds, Representative Barbara
Bailey has always stood steadfast and true to the small business owners
in this state," said Logue. "The lifetime 100 percent pro-small business
voting record she has maintained since she first came to the state
capitol is absolutely stellar."
Bailey represents the 10th Legislative District (which includes Island
County and parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties), said much of her
district comprises rural farms and small businesses. As a small business
owner herself, Bailey said she is very familiar with the effects of
government regulations on business.
"Most small business owners are acutely aware of how state government
regulations dictate whether they will succeed or fail. Heavy regulations
may often cripple a business before it has an opportunity to grow and
become successful. Washington is a very heavily regulated state and has
not been particularly business friendly," noted Bailey. "Government
should be a help, not a hindrance. Whenever I am voting on legislation,
I always consider how that will affect citizens and small businesses. I
do not believe in a heavily, over-regulated business environment. We
have to find ways to create a better business climate, not one that is
weighted down with onerous regulations."
Logue noted that small businesses have much different difficulties from
larger businesses in remaining solvent. The Guardian of Small Business
Award is given to those lawmakers who fundamentally understand the
differences between the two and work to help Main Street, mom-and-pop
firms stay in business and create jobs.
Logue added that the quality and caliber of state representatives like
Bailey will be more important than ever, after last month’s election
swept in more people without a business background or appreciation of
Main Street issues.
"We need all the small business owners in Olympia we can get to educate
legislators who have never signed the front of a paycheck. It makes us
doubly thankful to have people such as Barbara Bailey in our corner,"
said Logue.
"I never look at pieces of legislation in relationship to a voting
record with a certain group. Instead, I make my decision based on what I
believe will improve the quality of life for families in our state. A
key factor is making sure that we have a sound economy and one that will
help our small business owners become successful so that they can grow
and create new jobs," said Bailey. "Small businesses are the backbone of
our economy, both in the 10th District and throughout the state. I
appreciate the ability to support legislation important to our business
community. It is equally a great honor to be recognized by an
association that advocates for the success of our small businesses."
NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of small- and
independent business owners across the United States.
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