Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) was recognized as Legislator of the Year for 2023 by the Association of Washington Business (AWB), the state’s oldest and largest statewide business association. AWB President Kris Johnson presented the award at the organization’s annual policy summit, held in Spokane.
“I’m proud to receive this recognition for my work this past session,” said Mullet. “I believe we need an economy that works for all – where businesses innovate and grow, workers get paid good wages, and our environment and climate are protected with cleaner, greener technologies. I’ve always tried to be a responsible, reasonable voice in the Legislature to meet the right balance between all these interests, and this honor is a recognition of how well that approach can work.”
As vice chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee with responsibility for the capital budget process, Mullet led the development of an infrastructure budget that made record-breaking investments in affordable housing, school construction, and environmental protection, while protecting the state’s historically high bond rating. Mullet was also closely involved in negotiations over policy issues including expanding and supporting the nurse workforce in our hospitals, passing important public safety legislation, expanding housing options in big cities and near transit, and more.
“As a small business owner himself, Sen. Mark Mullet understands the challenges facing Washington employers today,” Johnson said. “He is a problem solver, and someone who works to find consensus. This year, he played an important role in the progress the Legislature made on housing, which is one of the state’s biggest challenges, and his work on the capital budget ensured funding for important infrastructure projects across the state. When the Legislature hits really difficult issues, Sen. Mullet is right there proposing practical solutions that take all sides into account.”
(Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)
(Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)
