9
Texas was estimated to be more than $1.6
trillion. Among the factors contributing
to the state’s strong economic growth
was the boom in oil production in the
2014 – 2015 biennium. Although there
is uncertainty with regard to oil prices,
Comptroller Hegar’s revenue estimate
anticipates moderate growth in the Texas
economy and revenue collections through
fiscal 2017.
Texas continues to lead
the nation in housing starts:
• In the 12 months ending in November
2014, a total of 93,346 single family
permits were issued, 8.9 percent more
than in the previous year.
• During the 12 months ending in
November 2014, a total of 61,791
multifamily permits were issued, 15
percent more than in the previous year.
• In November 2014, there were
19,205 sales of existing single family
homes, 1.9 percent more than in
November 2013.
• The U.S. consumer confidence index
was 92.6 in December 2014, up 1.8
percent from November 2014, and 16.6
percent higher than one year ago.
Although the Legislative Session is the
priority for the Texas Association of
Builders until
sine die
in June, I want to
remind you that your staff continues to
work for you every day to ensure that
you have access to quality products and
services to help you in your business.
These include:
• TAB Texas Residential
Construction Contracts Package
• TAB Model Construction Safety
Program and Jobsite Safety
Standards Package
©
• The Contracts and Model Safety Plan
are also available as TAB’s Builder
Bundled Package
• TAB Endorsed Insurance Programs
• TAB Member Rebate Program
For complete information about these
and TAB’s other member programs, visit
TexasBuilders.org.
Your best opportunity to experience all
that your association has to offer is this
summer as TAB returns to the always
popular Gaylord Texan
®
Resort and
Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
TAB’s summer meetings are July 28 – 31,
and the Sunbelt Builders Show™ will
be held July 29 – 30. Participate in the
governance of your association at the
committee and board meetings, learn
about the best products and services that
are available to our industry at the Show,
and network with over 2,000 building
professionals. Combine business and
pleasure – bring your family and enjoy
all that the resort has to offer. For more
information, registration and to make
hotel reservations beginning March 9,
please visi
Our
Texas Builder
Magazine editors strive
to bring you interesting and pertinent
articles and information every other month.
As always, we appreciate your input and
hope that you will let us know if you have
suggestions for topics about which you
would like to read, or issues that we can
address. The staff at the Texas Association
of Builders is here to work for you so let us
know how we’re doing.
Executive Director’s Message
Texas Under
New Leadership
By M. Scott Norman, Jr.
T
he 84
th
Texas Legislature convened
on January 13, and the first order
of business in the House was to
adopt their rules for electing the Speaker.
Although he faced an opponent, Joe
Straus (R-San Antonio) was re-elected by
an overwhelming margin and across party
lines to serve for a fourth term as Speaker
of the Texas House of Representatives.
Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick were sworn
in to office the following week as Governor
and Lieutenant Governor, respectively.
In early January, new Texas Comptroller
of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar issued
his revenue estimate for the remainder of
fiscal 2015 and the upcoming 2016 – 2017
biennium. Texas experienced a strong
recovery from the national recession of
2008 – 2009, has replaced all jobs lost
during the recession, and has added
more than 1.1 million additional jobs.
The residential construction industry,
however, continues to face a shortage of
skilled workers.
The Texas economy grew by 4.3 percent in
2013 and by 3.7 percent in 2014. In fiscal
2014, total nominal gross state product in
