Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, has been presented with a 2009 Business Champion Award for his sponsorship and support of legislation to improve the business climate in Washington and Snohomish County.

Hobbs received the award at the Joint Snohomish County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Recognition Breakfast held at the Everett Golf & Country Club.

The Joint Government Affairs Committee gave Hobbs a score of 91 percent based on his voting record during the 2009 legislative session.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Hobbs said. “In this tough economy, we must do everything we can at the state level to protect jobs and encourage entrepreneurship. That can only be achieved by maintaining good relationships with the business community and listening to their concerns.”

The award comes on the heels of Hobbs’ appointment to the newly formed Washington Council on Aerospace, which will identify ways to keep Washington competitive in the Aerospace industry by removing obstacles that are hurting the sector.

He sponsored the following legislation to help area businesses and strengthen Snohomish County communities.

• Senate Bill 6170 which promotes clean energy production and green jobs by extending tax exemptions and credits to a variety of renewable energy products such as solar energy, biomass energy, tidal and wave energy, geothermal resources, and hog fuel (wood waste).
• A budget provision that removes the down payment obstacle so thousands of Washingtonians can become homeowners. As many as 2,800 potential homebuyers could be eligible to put the federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers toward the actual home purchase and get the money at closing. The program is currently being developed.

Hobbs also voted in favor of other key bills, including:

• Legislation to bring the unemployment insurance system back into compliance with federal standards and clarify and limit good causes for voluntary quitting and ensure tax rates are reduced when the trust fund balance is high (SB 5963)
• A bill that waives fines and civil penalties for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses (SB 5042).
• Legislation that provides small businesses with a business and occupation tax credit (SB5899)

The Joint organization is comprised of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce.

This is the third straight year Hobbs has been honored by the chambers.