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Rep. Joel Kretz receives 'Business Star
Award'
Annual award honors legislators
who take an active role in
protecting, supporting
employers
The Business
Institute of Washington honored
Rep. Joel Kretz with a Business Star Award on June
2 for his strong support of employers during the 2009 legislative
session.
"We need a strong private-sector job market if we want to pull our
economy up," said Kretz, deputy leader of the House Republicans.
"Healthy employers create and retain jobs, and that's what our district
is depending on. The 7th District has some of the higher unemployment
rates in the state, so whatever I can do to help folks get back to work
and assist our hard-working business owners keep their doors open, I am
willing to do."
Kretz added that the unemployment insurance rate fix legislation he
supported,
Senate Bill 5963, was a major victory for Washington's
employers. The legislation ensures employers will no longer be overtaxed
for unemployment insurance payroll taxes.
He also co-sponsored
House Bill 1730, which will jump start the
state's Office
of Regulatory Assistance that aims to help small businesses navigate state agency
rules and regulations.
"I
worked to make sure communication lines were open to strengthen
relationships across the aisle and across political interest groups,"
said Kretz. "I also focused on improving grassroots business involvement
on issues such as 'cap and trade' in which we had CEO’s alongside employees
and unions, working to stop costly new taxes and regulations on
employers. We even got a few Democrats to side with us to stop the cap
and trade legislation once they figured out it was a job-killer."
The next step to
strengthen private sector job growth, Kretz said, is to begin removing
regulatory barriers and streamline state agencies. He believes more
innovation comes about when government gets out of the way of
businesses' creativity and ingenuity.
The 2009
Business Stars were selected for their work in support of a strong
private sector during this year’s legislative session, with their keen
recognition that a healthy business community creates jobs and fuels
Washington’s economy. Legislators were evaluated on their ability to
support and champion good, pro-business legislation that will ultimately
benefit the economy, particularly in these difficult economic times.
"Entrepreneurs risk their capital to create jobs and make our
communities stronger, and the least I can do is stick my neck out for
them when they need me," said Kretz, R-Wauconda. "I
also have to thank the Business Institute for bringing in a constant
stream of private-sector employers to educate legislators on critical issues
throughout the session."
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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