9
Houston Builders Association for bringing
the most members, 165, and to the Builders
Association of Corpus Christi who had the
largest percentage – 18 percent – of their
membership in attendance. It was great to
see members from 24 of our 28 local HBAs
in Austin visiting their Capitol.
TAB’s winter board meetings were held the
following two days at the Driskill Hotel. We
appreciate everyone who stayed in Austin
to participate in the governance of our
association. On Thursday evening, we held
a HOMEPAC fundraiser at Topgolf Austin.
See HOMEPAC Chairman Robert Wood’s
column on page 23 for an account of this
fun event – one that we will surely repeat.
The 84
th
Session of the Texas Legislature
continues until
sine die
on June 1. TAB’s
professional government relations staff
and volunteer members will be working
hard for your interests at the State
Capitol all the way to the end of session.
We will continue to support legislation
that prevents burdensome regulations
and ensures home builders are able to
provide affordable housing to current and
potential home buyers. Legislative Line,
TAB’s e-newsletter that is published at the
beginning of each week during the Session
provides you with the latest information
on legislative activities and bills that are
important to our industry. If you are not
receiving “Lege Line,” please contact TAB.
We hope you will join us at our summer
meetings that will be held at the Gaylord
Texan in Grapevine, Texas July 28 – 31.
Activities on Tuesday, July 28 include
the Government Relations Committee
meeting, and the HOMEPAC FUNdango
and 2
nd
Annual Statewide Washers
Championship. The Sunbelt Builders
Show™ will be held on Wednesday and
Thursday, July 29 – 30, and the week’s
events will conclude on Friday, July 31 with
TAB’s Board of Directors meeting.
Wednesday’s Sunbelt Opening Session
speaker is 3-time combat veteran pilot,
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion and
philanthropist Chad Hennings. Two General
Sessions on Thursday will bring you great
information you can use for your business.
The morning session is featuring Beth
Ziesenis and focuses on technology and how
to use, for example, sites such as Pinterest,
Facebook and your company’s own website
to your best advantage. In the afternoon, we
will hear from Ross Ramsey, an expert on
Texas politics and executive editor of
The
Texas Tribune
, and Dr. Jim Gaines, housing
economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas
A&M University. Ross and Jim will bring
us their insights on Texas’ political and
economic landscapes – a timely topic on
the heels of the 2015 Legislative Session.
Education sessions will also be held both
days on the trade show floor.
For complete information,to register for the
Show, and to make your hotel reservations
at the discounted room rate at the Gaylord
Texan, visit SunbeltBuildersShow.com.
Bring your family to enjoy the Gaylord’s
new 10-acre resort pool and lazy river,
Paradise Springs. As it has been for the past
15 years, Sunbelt is your best opportunity
to do a little business and have a lot of fun.
I look forward to seeing you in Grapevine
in July!
Executive Director’s Message
By M. Scott Norman, Jr.
T
he Texas Association of Builders
16th bi-annual Rally Day at the
Texas Capitol was a great success.
On March 4, almost 700 TAB members
gathered on the south steps of the Capitol
where Lt. Governor Dan Patrick addressed
the crowd. All 181 legislative offices (31
Senators and 150 State Representatives)
were visited by our members who delivered
TAB’s legislative agenda – and TAB hard
hats – directly to their elected officials.
Thank you to everyone who participated
in Rally Day 2015. By bringing your
passion for the home building industry to
the Capitol, you helped make lawmakers
aware of how vital their decisions are to the
livelihood and housing of so many Texans.
Thanks for speaking for our industry and
for the future home buyers of Texas.
Rally Day ended with the Legislative
Reception at the Driskill Hotel. Dozens
of legislators and their staff joined us at
the reception, and it was a great
opportunity to talk with our lawmakers
in a relaxed atmosphere.
During the reception, we presented two
awards for outstanding HBA attendance at
Rally Day. Congratulations to the Greater
Rally Wrap-Up
