Graves named “Legislator of the Year.”

ALEC is in town and among other things, they’re dispensing awards. Here’s a press release I received via email:

ATLANTA— The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) today honored state Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) as its “Legislator of the Year.”

The “Legislator of the Year” Award is given to state legislators who are ALEC members in good standing and have distinguished themselves by advancing, introducing and/or enacting policies based on the fundamental Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty.

Graves peers honored him with the award for his work on the Jobs, Opportunity and Business Success Act of 2009 (JOBS Act).

“It has been a pleasure to work with the leadership of the Georgia House and ALEC to formulate a true economic stimulus proposal for Georgia,” said Rep. Graves. “We recognize that sustainable job creation only results from the expansion of the private sector and not from the expansion of government. Hats off to ALEC for their tireless effort to advance sound public policy based on Jeffersonian principles.”

Graves received the award for his authorship and passage of The JOBS Act, HB 481 and 482, which received national attention. These bills were focused on helping small businesses and creating, expanding and attracting jobs through a series of tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire Georgians.

ALEC’s 36th Annual Meeting, which began this past Wednesday and wraps up July 18, featured former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and others who addressed an audience of nearly 1,500 state legislators and business leaders in Atlanta.