Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, has earned the 2012 Cornerstone Award from the Association of Washington Business (AWB) for his efforts to support the state’s workers, employers and business community. The award goes annually to legislators who vote for jobs-friendly legislation and against legislation that would erode the state’s competitiveness or make it more difficult for employers to retain or create new jobs.

“I’m delighted to be a Cornerstone Award recipient,” Tom said. “Our No. 1 priority for this state has to be growing our economy and getting Washingtonians back to work.

“A healthy job-creation climate is the foundation of a growing economy, where good jobs are plentiful. That’s what I want for my neighbors in the 48th District and it’s what I want for our state; I’ll fight to see that we come out of this legislative session with a plan to make it easier for our employers to hire and retain workers.”   To receive the award, legislators must vote in support of the employer community and its workers more than 80 percent of the time; according to AWB, Tom was also recognized for his work to reform the way the state does business — especially when it comes to budgeting.

“The Legislature took steps last year toward the goal of spending within the state’s means, and Sen. Tom played a vital role in the outcome of those budget negotiations,” said Gary Chandler, AWB vice president of government affairs. “We appreciate his leadership and his commitment to fiscal responsibility, which we believe is necessary for employers to succeed and for the economy to grow.”

Tom says that this year he hopes to once again put the issue of Washington’s competitiveness at the top of the Senate agenda.

“My fellow lawmakers of all parties need to recognize the intensity of the competition we face in 21st-century global economy. Our employers have to compete against businesses not just in Idaho and Oregon, but in India and Indonesia,” Tom said.

“As a state, we have to be just as competitive to attract and retain employers and the jobs they create. The Senate’s Majority Coalition Caucus — and I personally — remain committed to making Washington a great place for entrepreneurs to start a business, relocate to and grow. We want to put our employers in the best possible position to create jobs.”