State Sen. Bob Oke (R-Port Orchard) and Rep. Beverly Woods (R-Poulsbo), along with 64 Washington legislators won Guardian of Small Business awards from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).

The legislators were honored for having shown an appreciation for the struggles of “Main Street” firms. The NFIB said they have worked to keep “needless” government regulations in check and taxes and fees low. They have done so in “thousands of little ways” that add up to success, the business group said, such as promoting pro-small-business legislation, working to defeat bills harmful to mom-and-pop shops, rallying colleagues, showing up early, and staying late.

The most important criterion for the award was a legislator’s grade on how he or she voted on 15 issues vital to the survival of small business for senators and on eight issues in the House.