Sen. Fran Pavley (left), seen in 2012 with her district’s most recent Small Businessperson of the Year, UltraGlas CEO Jane Skeeter.

[Sen. Pavley] – State Sen. Fran Pavley (D-27) was recognized last week for her work on behalf of small business.

On Jan. 10, the California Small Business Association and California Small Business Roundtable named Sen. Pavley to the Summa Cum Laude list of California Legislators for 2012. Pavley was one of 44 current and former legislators awarded the top rating by these organizations. This group includes 28 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

According to these groups, legislators were rated on several categories, including: their voting record on legislation considered a priority by small business; for authoring and carrying bills supported by small business; the efficiency and professionalism of their staffs in dealing with concerns raised by small business; for holding one or more small business advisory council meetings in their district; and for honoring a small businessperson from their district during the annual California Small Business Day.

“Nobody makes the honor roll unless they’ve earned it,” said Betty Jo Toccoli, president of the CSBA. “Senator Pavley has really made a concerted effort to establish good relationships with small businesses in her district. We look forward to continuing our work with her in 2013.”

In June, Sen. Pavley selected Jane Skeeter, founder & CEO of UltraGlas, Inc. as her District’s Small Businessperson of the Year. The Chatsworth-based company makes patented, environmentally sustainable products, including flooring and other building materials, from salvaged glass diverted from landfills.

In September, Governor Jerry Brown signed Pavley’s SB 1532, which was supported by the CSBA. This bill calls on the Secretary of State to more efficiently roll out the California Business Connect program, which allows business to fill out state forms on the Secretary’s website, 24 hours a day.