OLYMPIA— State Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, has been selected by the Association of Washington Business to receive its 2010 Jim Matson Award. The award, voted on by AWB members who serve on its Governmental Affairs Council, recognizes a current or former state legislator who consistently supports issues important to Washington’s employers and the state’s competitiveness.
Zarelli was singled out for his consistent leadership on fiscal matters, particularly his ardent calls for fiscal restraint and a resetting of state budget priorities in the face of continued deficits and reliance on federal bailouts.
“Over the last several years, Sen. Zarelli has proved to be a voice of reason in Olympia when it comes to state spending, something that was evidenced once again this year as he called on lawmakers to reform state government in the face of a $2.8 billion budget shortfall,” said AWB President Don Brunell.
“We know that many of the same challenges will be facing the Legislature next year, in part because majority lawmakers have failed to heed Sen. Zarelli’s consistent calls to rein in spending, stop relying on one-time funding sources to balance the budget and stop raising taxes on employers,” said Brunell. “It’s good to know that Sen. Zarelli will be there once again next session, standing up for employers who are struggling to put Washingtonians back to work.”
The Matson Award is the highest honor a legislator can receive from AWB, Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association. The award was established to honor the late Sen. Jim Matson, R-Selah, who was a veteran state legislator and AWB member. Matson also served on the AWB’s Executive Committee during the 1970s and 1980s.
Previous Matson Award winners include:
- 2009 Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla
- 2008 Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Sammamish
- 2007 Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla
- 2006 Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient
- 2005 Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside
- 2004 Sen. Dan McDonald, R-Bellevue
- 2003 Sen. Jim West, R-Spokane
- 2002 Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch
- 2001 Rep. Gary Chandler, R-Moses Lake
- 2000 Rep. Barb Lisk, R-Zillah
- 1999 Rep. Tom Huff, R-Gig Harbor
- 1998 Sen. Ann Anderson, R-Acme
- 1997 Sen. George Sellar, R-Wenatchee
- 1996 Sen. Irv Newhouse, R-Mabton
- 1995 Speaker Clyde Ballard, R-Wenatchee
Zarelli, president of JP Zarelli, Inc., which specializes in business development and risk management services, represents the state’s 18th Legislative District. He is also the previous recipient of AWB’s Cornerstone Award, an honor given to legislators who vote for business-friendly legislation and against legislation that would further erode the state’s competitiveness.
Formal presentation of the Matson Award will take place at AWB’s Policy Summit Sept. 21-23 at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,000 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit http://www.awb.org/.
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