Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) has been honored by two groups for his work as a state legislator this year — as a City Champion by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and as the Benjamin Franklin Legislator of the Year by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).
In naming Mullet a City Champion, the AWC called Mullet “an important voice for cities in his caucus” and “a big supporter of economic development.” The group recognized him as a “key player” in passage of the Tax Increment Financing bill earlier this year and said he “is a strong advocate for local funding and decision-making authority.”
In addition to the tax increment financing legislation, Mullet attributed the recognition to his efforts to protect funding in the state’s Public Works Assistance Account.
“This was the first time we were successful in preserving those funds in my nine years in the state Legislature,” Mullet said. “It was a very long road to win this battle, but it was an important battle to win for the health of our cities and towns.”
Tax increment financing and the public works funds were two of the three areas in which Mullet devoted the majority of his time during the 2021 legislative session. The third area was additional financial support for cities to increase housing around transit hubs; that legislation was incorporated in the state’s capital budget.
NAMIC officials said the award recognizes “all that you do to promote the best interest of citizens of the State of Washington” and added that Mullet’s constituents “are blessed to have your intellect, political savvy and heart-centered commitment to their welfare.”
