Minority business group honors Chase as Legislator of the Year

State Sen. Chase receives award
Photo courtesy LSS

The National Minority Business Advisory Council honored Sen. Maralyn Chase on Monday by naming her 2017’s Legislator of the Year. This is the first time the Seattle-based organization has issued such an award.

Chase, D-Edmonds, was chosen for her work on the Small Business Bonding Relief bill, which brought Washington state’s government contracting provisions into compliance with federal law governing small works bonding requirements.

“As a former small business owner, I understand the challenges these companies face on a daily basis,” Chase said. “I’m proud to accept this award, and will continue to work hard for small, minority businesses statewide.”

Senate Bill 5734 passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate. Gov. Jay Inslee signed themeasure into law on April 20, 2017.

Frank Lemos, president of the National Minority Business Advisory Council, explained in a letter that the SB 5734 provided much-needed help to small, minority businesses.

“The law will aid our small, disadvantaged businesses with much-needed bonding relief. It will also serve as a catalyst to greatly improve the business climate for small minority owned businesses all across our state who are up against record levels of inequity in public contracting,” Lemos said.