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El Paso members storm the Capitol
National, State & Local Building Industry News 2019: Issue 3
Builders, Associates meet in Austin to represent home building industry The bi-annual Texas Association of Builders Rally Day was held on March 20 at the Capitol in Austin. El Paso was represented by a total of twentytwo representatives who visited all the El Paso delegation. We were welcomed by each Texas Legislator from our area and had a special visit with Senator Jose Rodriguez. The EPAB group was led by President Sergio Cuartas, Vice President Edgar Garcia, Secretary Sal Masoud and Ray and Margaret Adauto. The Capitol was swarming with the nearly 800 Texas builders and Associates during the day long event. The Rally Day headquarters was the Driskill Hotel. The group was welcomed to a traditional dinner on March 19 at the world-famous Eddie V’s, a steak and seafood multi-star eating establishment. Our sponsor, HUB International treated the group to an outstanding selection of shrimp, oysters, lump crab and even a special crab cake for appetizers. The main course was one of five entrée’s which the group chose from. It was capped off with an amazing group of chocolate or banana deserts. Our thanks to Luis Rosas and HUB International for the outstanding meal. Wednesday started early with a meeting with Representative Lina Ortega who graciously gave us a lot of time to explain our issues and to ask for her support. Because of the early start the EPAB took some Austin Voodoo Donuts to her and her staff, all of which were quickly consumed. Our nest visit was to the newest state rep, Art Fierro who was recently elected to replace outgoing long-term Joe Pickett. He was on the house floor and so the group met with his chief of staff, a regular option given that the reps are in session and at work.
The group visited with Representative Mary Gonzalez next, and as she always has, welcomed us with open arms. “Where’s Randy? “ she asked knowing that Randy Bowling has led our delegates over the past years. Randy was with the TAB Executive team since he is First Vice President and assumes the leadership in 2020. Representative Gonzalez said that our lobby team from TAB had been in contact with her and her staff frequently and that she appreciates those updates and visits. Our brochure also helps her decide on bills that we support or oppose. The next appointment was with Representative Cesar Blanco who two years ago gave us a grand tour of the House chambers. He was scheduled to be in Houston on House business and surprised us by walking in as we were gearing up. “I wouldn’t miss meeting you all,” he told the excited members. Our final two meetings for the day were with Senator Rodriguez and Representative Joe Moody, now the Speaker Pro Tempore, a very high honor and prestigious position. The delegation with Senator Rodriguez was led by Sergio Cuartas and Sal Masoud and they came away happy and excited with that meeting. “He was really nice to us and listened to our issues with an open mind,” Sergio told the Outlook. Representative Moody was on the House floor and so the EPAB delegates huddled with the staff. “Our mission at Rally Day is to make sure we make our presence known, and we did that pretty well again,” said Ray. The next Rally Day will be in 2021.
Top Right: EPAB members in the a capitol hallway preparing for their meeting.
Above: A hard hat was presented as a gift from TAB and EPAB to Senator Jose Rodriguez (Seated) Left to right: Margaret Adauto, Dallas Stevens, Jacob Barde, Sergio Cuartas, Sal Masoud. More photos: page 8
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID EL PASO TX PERMIT NO. 429