Dear HBAA Members:
|
Alabama's Legislative Session ended last night. HBAA staff
will give you an in-depth legislative analysis next week, but in the meantime I
want to share some of my own thoughts about it.
Our top priority this session was the statewide building
code bill, a huge undertaking and a great challenge for our industry. This
legislation dealt with some hefty issues-in addition to giving Alabama its
first statewide building code, it also adopted an energy code that will shape
our state's energy policy for the next 20 years. Of course, the issue that got
the most attention was fire sprinklers. Thanks to the passage of this
legislation, our builders will not be forced to put sprinklers in new homes.
This will save thousands of dollars per home and will help keep homes
affordable.
At the beginning of the year we talked about getting back to
basics. There is no more basic purpose for this association than our
involvement in legislative matters, working to get bills passed that are good
for our industry and helping to kill bills that aren't. That's our basic
fare--our "meat and potatoes" that we've talked about so much this year.
Our success in this year's session is due to several
factors. First, we have a dedicated staff that knows what their job is. Second,
we have a Political Action Committee that has invested wisely in candidates who
understand and support the issues that are important to our industry.
Most importantly, we have members who stepped up when we
needed them the most. When I asked members to come to Montgomery to help lobby
against the sprinkler mandate, you responded not once, not twice, but on three
different occasions. Trust me when I say that made a huge impact on
legislators. I don't think we'd have gotten unanimous votes for our bills
without your presence.
Our continued success hinges on our involvement in the
political process. We all know that our state is not where it should be.
Regardless of the economic situation, the 2010 elections WILL be held. We've
got to be aggressive in the campaigns so that we can continue to fight for the
strength of our industry and the wellbeing of our members and their families.
On behalf of the Senior Officers, Executive Committee and
HBAA staff, thank you for stepping up to the plate this session and giving not
only your money but also your time and energy. I am proud to be your President.
Sincerely,
Cliff Pitman, CGB, GMB
2010 HBAA President
|
