TEXO
Archive | Printer Friendly Version | Send to a Friend | www.texoassociation.org November 5, 2013  
     
Griffith Davison & Shurtleff, P. C
Don't Forget To Vote

This election is very important to the development and construction industry in Texas as the successful passage of Proposition 6 on the ballot will allow for the establishment of a water plan that will address our needs for further growth and prosperity. TEXO members and their employees will also be casting votes for municipal and school bond programs throughout North and East Texas. For more information about important topics regarding our industry on this years ballot, please click here.

 
TEXO Chili Cook-off
Thursday, November 7
We are only two days away from the TEXO Chili Cook-off, sponsored by Marek. The teams are finishing their preparation and planning, but we need YOU to be here to help eat all the varieties of chili they come up with! The cost of admission is only 5 cans of non perishable food (or $10). You will even get to help choose a winner with the new People's Choice Award. By choosing a winner, you may also help to determine the outcome of the first TEXO Challenge Cup, presented by Acton. For more information, please click here

TEXO Holiday & Awards Dinner
Saturday, December 7
A night of celebration and fun is on tap for the annual TEXO Holiday and Awards Dinner. We will be celebrating the various winners of TEXO awards as well as crowning the first TEXO Challenge Cup, presented by Acton, winner. Click here to see more information about the event and to register.
 
Safety Superintendent Forum
Wednesday, Nov 6
This month's topic will be on workers compensation and they will answer questions on how to fill out all the forms related to jobsite accidents, what to do with the injured employee, and other related issues. For more information and to register, click here.

Latino Safety Forum
Tuesday, Nov 12
This month we will discuss and clear up misconceptions about Subpart D, General Safety and Health. This forum is in Spanish only! For more information and to register, click here.
 
15th Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards

The TEXO Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) is an ongoing and evolving effort to recognize companies who have developed and implemented excellent safety and loss prevention programs achieved through management commitment, employee involvement, and program innovation. All TEXO members are encouraged to submit nominations for each division and occupational category.

 

Schedule and Deadlines:

December 6, 2013 - Completed applications are due in the Chapter office

December 12, 2013 – Oral Presentations

December 13, 2013 – Winners Notified

 

Click here to view the CSEA Application Instructions

Click here to download the application

 
Challenging Time Call for Bold Actions
All TEXO members are encouraged to particpate in the November 13th Construction Industry Stand Down. Help make this Stand Down a SUCCESS by being involved. We firmly believe taking this action as a construction community will make a strong statement about the importance of safety to each of us. Following the event, be sure to send us pictures from your Stand Down (include name of the project and location).

Click here to register to participate.
 

SMPS Dallas

Tuesday, November 12th

Join SMPS Dallas for an in-depth discussion on critical economic/legislative concerns. Listen as industry experts provide insight and forecast where business, the new legislature, and our Texas economy will be at this time next year. Our panelists will explain recent changes in legislation, funding, and discuss how the current political climate will impact our business efforts. For more information and to register, click here.

 
Rental One
ABC of Texas Report

Shortly after you receive this report, your ABC of Texas Board (along with one invited guest from each chapter) will be meeting to revisit and update our Strategic Plan.  Certainly, if you have input, contact your President, Brad Brown, or one of your ABC of Texas Board members (GPaul Holliman, Russ Garrison and Paul Lembke).  ABC of Texas updates its Strategic Plan every two years following the Regular Session of the Texas Legislature.  We prepare a four year plan with goals initially and then back up to set more specific two year goals that advance us towards our four year goals.  Since we already set four-year goals two years ago, that last step involves testing those goals to make sure they are still relevant.


In fact, this report is consistent with one of this year’s goals, which is to increase the awareness of ABC of Texas to members and industry stakeholders.  


Most recently, ABC of Texas, AGC-TBB and TCA have been engaged in efforts to try to explore revising the state’s complicated lien laws.  Almost everyone agrees that our lien law is hard for even attorneys to navigate.  It is certainly not clear at this point what direction any proposed changes will take, but we believe we have some of the brightest legal minds in the construction industry representing the three construction associations.  Of course, other groups such as home builders, commercial builders and developers, lenders and title companies will have to be part of any successful attempt to revise these statutes.


At the September meeting of the State Board of Education, many groups, including Jobs for Texas (to which both ABC of Texas and AGC-TBB belong), commented on how to implement the new high school graduation standards contained in HB 5 from last session of the Texas Legislature.  Chuck Schu, Education Director of ABC’s Central Texas Chapter, was invited to address the Board by his Texas Education Agency (TEA) contacts.  That chapter accredits instructors in NCCER at over 270 Texas high schools and community colleges.  


HB 5 specifically deleted Algebra II as a requirement in all but the distinguished level of achievement.  HB 5 still requires Algebra I and Geometry plus another math course, but gives school districts the flexibility to allow students to choose from other math courses that may be offered, some of which could be more related to the student’s endorsement.  


Unfortunately, the TEA has prepared draft proposed rules that require Algebra II for every endorsement.  However, the distinguished level still requires Algebra II and a student is also able to get an endorsement.  The endorsements are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Business and Industry (which can include construction); Arts and Humanities; Public Services; and Multidisciplinary Studies (which can have a courses from one or among the endorsement areas).  As mentioned above, the Legislature left it up to the school districts to decide what the third math course could be and specifically deleted a statutory reference to Algebra II.  


The State Board of Education meets on November 20, and ABC of Texas will be prepared to provide its input as we have already done in writing.  We have also engaged our members in contacting State Legislators to ask them to weigh in.  If you had previously signed up on VoterVoice, you should have received an alert.


And, the campaign season is upon us.  The ABC of Texas Political Action Committee (ABC PAC) generally waits until after the filing deadline to determine how many races it needs to participate in.  Then, it prioritizes those efforts based on likely general election contests.  Thus, ABC PAC gives in three cycles—primary elections (including runoffs), general election and post-election (for the lucky ones without opponents).   This allows us to prioritize based on what is occurring or has occurred in the various races.  What that also means is that we do not generally give to unopposed candidates until post-election.  Of course, there are always exceptions, but very few.  This way, we are helping those who need our help when they need it and showing our appreciation to those friends who were unopposed (or dealing with the occasional missed opportunity) right before the Legislature meets.  Everyone gets asked multiple times to contribute.  This way we are either giving when the legislator needs it or saying "yes" the last time they ask.  


As always, ABC of Texas exists to serve your interests in Austin.  Please feel free to communicate anytime you have any concerns.  



 
AGC's Data DIGest
This weeks edition of the Data DIGest focuses on starts improving in 2013, a look back at PPI in September and the latest price trends. To read more, click here.
 
IMAGINiT Technologies
 
FacebookFacebookTwitterLinkedIn
ROMCO Equipment Company
Contact TEXO
11101 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75229

972-647-0697
texo@texoassociation.org
     

Advertise

We would appreciate your comments or suggestions.
Your email will be kept private and confidential.