"You can’t complain if you didn’t take the opportunity to cast your ballot!"

Do you vote in Primary Elections? If not, are you aware of the consequences of the winners and losers that come from this particular race? My husband and I recently went to do “early voting” in our county. Upon arrival, we were met with an onslaught of campaign signs, sign holders, and the candidates themselves, more than willing to discuss the issues with us, the simple voter.

Given we are concerned with the fast growth of our state, ever-increasing property tax values, and the future of our educational system, we take these candidates and their positions seriously. In just a few minutes of conversation outside our polling place, we were made aware of several races that could impact Texas!

As members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas (PHCC), our goal legislatively is to protect the licenses you hold, ensure that doing business in Texas is fair and profitable, and, that workforce demands are met in the skilled trades such as ours.

One of the focuses of our association is to align itself with the Texas Construction Association (TCA). This group devotes itself to protecting and promoting you, the sub-contractor. In a state full of high paid lobbyists, big business interests, and a building boom, the sub’s interests can get overlooked. TCA strives to make sure that those at the Capitol know your concerns regarding doing work under current licensing laws, mechanic’s lien regulations, lending documents, and more.

Many of the incumbents who have supported skilled trades in the past are facing contested races within their own parties. Please consider getting out and voting next month. What happens on March 6th can determine how small businesses will be treated in this ever-growing economy. To say, “I’ll wait for the general election,” could mean that a legislative friend of PHCC or TCA may not be on that ballot.

So many say, my vote doesn’t matter; but in a primary election setting, with so few who turn out to do so, it DOES count! Exercise your right to vote, make your voices heard through the election of those that represent you. And, reach out to your elected officials. Speak to them about the issues you and your businesses face. Support their efforts if you are in agreement.

Remember: “You can’t complain if you didn’t take the opportunity to cast your ballot!”