Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley.

OLYMPIA … Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, has been recognized for his support of small business and entrepreneurship by the National Federation of Independent Business, the state’s largest small-business association.

Padden has been named a Guardian of Small Business by the NFIB, in recognition of his 100-percent voting record on small-business issues. Padden was one of just three senators who earned a perfect score with the association.

“What makes our country strong is that in America you can establish your own business and create your own success,” Padden said. “Government can try to nurture this entrepreneurial spirit, but often the best thing it can do is to stay out of the way.”

NFIB’s scorecard rated members of the Legislature based on 17 votes taken over the last two years, on such issues as business regulation, streamlined tax and licensing requirements, and opposition to business tax increases.

“Everyone says they support small business, but what matters is where they stand on the issues that make the difference between profit and loss,” said Patrick Connor, Washington state director for NFIB. “Few legislators stand as firmly with small business as Sen. Padden.”

This year Padden was joined by Sens. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Don Benton, R-Vancouver, in receiving a 100-percent rating. All three lawmakers representing Spokane County’s 4th Legislative District received 100-percent ratings – Padden and Reps. Matt Shea and Bob McCaslin, both R-Spokane Valley.

NFIB has 350,000 dues-paying members nationwide, and 8,000 at the state level.