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Is your child graduating this spring? The Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas Charitable and Educational Foundation is proud to offer our annual scholarship program to our valued membership! Please note that these scholarships are available exclusively to PHCC-Texas contractor members (including employees) and their families.
 
Be sure to also check out the link below to view other scholarship opportunities for apprentices and professionals. Applications Due March 31, 2023. 
There's still time to register to attend the event! Join us to ensure the voice of PHCC Texas is loud and proud at the Capitol.
 
Stronger Together: As our industry continues to evolve, we will rise to the occasion and meet whatever challenges come our way together. Mark your calendars for Feb. 7-8, 2023! 

Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 6:30-9 PM: Legislative Dinner & PAC Reception
Wednesday, Feb. 8: Breakfast Briefing with PHCC Texas Lobby Team and Individual Meetings with Legislators
 
Decisions made at the capitol can have a dramatic impact on how we do business. If you can't attend the event in February, another way you can become more involved is by contributing to the PHCC Texas Political Action Committee (PAC). Through such contributions, we can help support candidates for public office who will give us fair and effective representation and are willing to take a proactive stance on our behalf. 
 
Another way to support the PHCC Texas PAC is by donating a door prize. Interested in getting involved? Contact communications@phcc-tx.org. 
 
  
 
We can't wait to see you at annual conference, scheduled for Aug. 2-4, 2023, at the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Keep an eye out for more details and registration to go live in early February. 
As of Jan. 6, 2023, Mark Ingrao is no longer the chief executive officer of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC). They wish him the best in the future.
 
Former PHCC Educational Foundation Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sheridan, CAE, has been named PHCC’s interim chief executive officer. Sheridan joined PHCC staff as the membership director in 2000 and became the Foundation Chief Operating Officer in 2010.
 
“We are delighted to have Cindy serve as staff leader for our PHCC team,” said PHCC President Dave Frame. “She is a well-respected professional who knows our association and industry well. Her extensive knowledge and expertise will help guide us as we collaborate together to build the future for our industry.”
   
FastEst, Inc.
      
SupplyHouse.com
   
  
Home and business owners go to great lengths to minimize damage and ensure their plumbing systems are safe, efficient and sustainable. When exploring options for installations, repairs or upgrades, maintain peace of mind by hiring licensed. While there's no guarantee that everything will go exactly as planned, hiring a licensed professional will provide increased assurance of protection. 

Members of PHCC Texas are licensed by the State of Texas and the public can be confident that they will be employing someone with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
We all know consumer prices are rising due to inflation. This — combined with supply chain challenges, extreme weather events, and other factors — is rapidly driving up the cost to replace and repair property and equipment.

One unfortunate side effect of this reality is a widening gap between the value of buildings, machinery, and inventory at the time a business purchases insurance, and the value of those items in today’s economy. Simply put, businesses may find they do not have enough insurance to adequately cover their physical assets.
  
Question of the Month: We terminated an employee a few months ago for poor performance and misconduct. We recently received a phone call from another company that is considering hiring this individual. The company is asking for a reference. What should we tell them? Are we allowed to say why the employee was fired? If we tell the truth and the employee does not get the new job, can he sue us?
  
The beginning of a new year brings excitement about new resolutions to accomplish over the next twelve months. But do you have any New Year’s resolutions for your business? Consider some of these ideas to help start things off on the right foot in 2023.

 
   
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Education
  
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners has been working diligently to improve processes, communicate updates that impact plumbing licensees in Texas and revise Board Rules. With so much new information coming down the pike, we've compiled these updates online for you! 

Recent updates from January 2023 TSBPE Meeting: 
Overview of Recent Rule Amendment Adoptions and Proposals
  
In a rush? Our digital correspondence option is the quickest way to complete your CE. Students will receive a digital copy of our book and an open-book 150-question exam that you can take at your own pace. There are two options when choosing the most recent correspondence courses: Digital Only and Standard.
 
When choosing the Digital Only option, you will receive a link to download the course and can get started right away! When choosing the Standard option, we also ship you a packet (USPS Priority) with a physical copy of the book and all course materials.
  
Please note: correspondence testing is not an option for students looking to rank up to a Tradesman or Journeyman license, but is a viable option for renewals. 
  
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, acting on the authority granted by the legislature, has paved the way for students who successfully complete a high school/trade school program to immediately test to become licensed tradesman plumbers.

Texas Workforce Commission's Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Program supports those efforts by providing funds for training equipment supporting in-demand occupations like plumbing. The JET Program provides grants to public junior, state and technical colleges, open enrollment charter schools, and school districts to purchase and install equipment for the development of career and technical education courses or programs that lead to a license, certificate or postsecondary degree in a high-demand occupation.
Legislative Updates
The 88th Legislature’s regular session convened on January 10 and will continue through May 29, 2023. March 10 is the last day bills may be filed. To keep you informed, PHCC Texas has begun sending weekly newsletters to keep you informed on bills that may impact your business. Interested in receiving this newsletter? Please contact communications@phcc-tx.org to be added to distribution. 
Attorney Rick Alaniz addresses the shifting regulations around marijuana in the workplace.

The marijuana industry is booming across the country. While marijuana use is still viewed negatively by many, this is rapidly changing. Legal marijuana sales in the U.S. increased 67% in 2020 and another 40% in 2021, reaching a hefty $26.5 billion! In 2022, these sales are estimated to have exceeded $32 billion in sales. Maintaining a drug free workplace increasingly poses a challenge for employers as more and more states relax their prohibition against marijuana use and grant workplace protections for both medical and recreational use.
Membership
If you haven't already, please remember to ensure your membership remains current in 2023. By completing the paper form or renewing online, you can be sure your company maintains access to exclusive benefits and opportunities. Questions? Contact us at membership@phcc-tx.org!
  
We work hard to ensure your PHCC membership provides great value, and we want to know if there are areas where we can expand our support to you. After all, it is because of your membership that we are able to be your resource for education, advocacy, networking, and more! Please take a few moments to complete the Membership Survey to help us better serve you!
Upcoming Events
Friday, January 27th
6:30 to 11 PM
Cadillac Bar
Online Registration has closed. 
  
Stronger Together: As our industry continues to evolve, together we will rise to the occasion and meet whatever challenges come our way. Please make plans to join us Feb. 7-8, 2023, in Austin to ensure our voice is heard by the state legislature. 
Tuesday, February 21st
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Moore Supply (11925 N. Stemmons Fwy., Ste. 100, Dallas 75234)

Thursday, March 2nd
10 AM until 5 PM
National Shooting Complex
  
PHCC Texas Annual Conference | August 2-4, 2023 
San Antonio, Texas | Hyatt Hill Country Resort 
Golf Tournament: Wednesday, August 2nd - Shotgun Start at 8
More Information Coming Soon! 
Benefits
  
Fueling solutions for business: streamline how you manage your company’s fuel expenses. The more your employees fuel at Exxon and Mobil, the more they maximize your rebates. 
 
For questions and/or to start an application, call (443) 668-8425 or email Juan Munoz.
“Best People and Best Practices” deserve the best technology. With over 300 Texas PHCC members, reliable technology should be available to streamline processes and simplify the nature of the business.
  
As a member of the PHCC community, you plug into a powerful network of valuable resources and contractors at the local, state and national level — plus our own PHCC Educational Foundation — offering the knowledge, tools, programs and services you need to succeed.