Unwavering support for the small business community in Michigan has garnered the admiration of the Small Business Association of Michigan — SBAM — for a pair of State Representatives from both sides of the political aisle.
SBAM this week has honored State Reps. Steve Marino a Republican Legislator from Macomb, and Democratic Legislator Angela Witwer from Delta Township as their 2021 Legislators of the Year.
SBAM President Brian Calley says, “Reps. Marino and Witwer are SBAM’s Legislators of the Year because of their unwavering support for Michigan’s small businesses,” and adds, “In an incredibly difficult year for small businesses, it was a relief to have advocates like Representatives Marino and Witwer in our corner.”
SBAM honored Marino for his 100-percent pro-small business voting record and his commitment to legislation that benefits small businesses. He was one of the fiercest supporters of Entrepreneurship Led Economic Development legislation that moved through the House in 2020. As a former small business owner and chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, Marino ensured legislation benefiting small businesses advanced through his committee.
Witwer was honored by SBAM for always proactively looking for ways to help Michigan’s small businesses and align her party’s policies with SBAM’s. A long-time small business owner herself, Witwer led opposition to a package of bills that would have dramatically increased health insurance premiums for small businesses. Additionally, Rep. Witwer vowed to override a budget veto that increased a large amount of funding for small businesses.
Rep. Marino was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November of 2016 and represents the residents of Harrison Township and parts of Clinton and Macomb Townships. He serves as Chair of the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.
Rep. Witwer was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November of 2018 and represents the residents of parts of Eaton County. She serves as Minority Vice Chair of the Health Policy Committee and also serves on the Agriculture and Regulatory Reform Committees.
The awards were presented this past Tuesday during SBAM’s Annual Meeting, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Small Business Association of Michigan focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community through advocacy, collaboration and buying power. Today they serve over 28,000 members in all 83 counties of Michigan. SBAM is located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.
