Rep. Linda Kochmar, R-Federal Way, recently received the “Guardian of Small Business Award” from the National Federation of Independent Business. To qualify, state lawmakers were graded on 19 key votes they took during the 2013-14 sessions. Kochmar received a 90 percent score.

“It’s such an honor to receive this award and I am proud of the important work we accomplished over the two-year legislative cycle,” said Kochmar. “While we would have liked to have seen more reforms, I am looking forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to create jobs and make Washington more business-friendly.”

Patrick Connor, the federation’s state director, commended Kochmar for her dedication to improving Washington’s business climate.

“We appreciate Representative Kochmar’s strong support of our state’s primary job creators – small businesses,” said Connor. “Her 90 percent voting record on key issues affecting Main Street shows her commitment to helping entrepreneurs grow our economy and put people back to work.”

Of the more than 8,000 National Federation of Independent Business members in Washington, 60 percent are made up of five or fewer employees. According to the federation, there were 546,885 small businesses as of 2010.

The 2014 legislative session ended March 13. The 2015 session will begin Jan. 12.

For more information about Kochmar, visit: www.representativelindakochmar.com.