The Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural association that represents more than 41,000 families, recently announced that Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, were named the bureau’s 2014 Legislators of the Year.
The award is presented to lawmakers who provide critical leadership on agricultural issues and work proactively to advance the interests of the state's farmers and ranchers, according to the state farm bureau.
Braun, chair of the Senate Trade & Economic Development Committee and vice chair of the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee, is considered an outspoken advocate for agricultural employers on labor and employment issues, the farm bureau said.
In two years in the state Legislature, Braun introduced and fought for legislation that would help labor-intensive agriculture remain viable, including bills that would have assisted employers on wage complaints and placed limits on government-mandated leave laws.
Braun also advocated for reform of the state's workers' compensation laws.
Wilcox, assistant ranking member on Appropriations and a member of the Finance Committee, and also who operates Wilcox Farms, helped preserve the state's tax structure and defeat efforts to raise taxes, allowing family farms to be competitive and remain economically viable, according to the farm bureau.
"We are thankful to have lawmakers such as Sen. Braun and Rep. Wilcox in Olympia demonstrating strong leadership and advocacy on behalf of Washington state agriculture," John Stuhlmiller, Washington Farm Bureau CEO, said in a statement. "Washington Farm Bureau is grateful for their efforts that allow agriculture to continue to benefit our state's economy and its environment.”
