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On Nov. 17, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a reciprocity agreement signed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) and the Arkansas Department of Health’s Plumbing Examiners Committee (ARDH). 
 
Texas’ arrangement with Arkansas is a net positive for plumbing professionals in both states. Plumbing companies now have more options when hiring a licensed plumber and increased capacity to respond to emergency declarations in both Texas and Arkansas. Ultimately, the consumer stands to benefit most from this interstate deal; both agencies expect it to increase the availability of trained plumbing professionals across both states.
  
Gifting for your employees (and yourself) made easy this year!
 
These PHCC Texas items require no quantity minimums, and will be en route to you after 3-5 days of production. 
 
  
Stronger Together: As our industry continues to evolve, together we will rise to the occasion and meet whatever challenges come our way. Mark your calendars for Feb. 7-8, 2022! Join us to ensure the voice of PHCC Texas is loud and proud at the Capitol. More information coming soon. 
 
Decisions made at the capitol can have a dramatic impact on how we do business. Because of the importance of the political system to our industry, we must have a voice in the decision making process. One way you can become more involved is by contributing to the PHCC Texas Political Action Committee (PAC). Through such contributions, we can help support candidates for public office who will give us fair and effective representation and are willing to take a proactive stance on our behalf. 
PHCC Texas is proud to provide Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners approved plumbing continuing education, in addition to test prep training. We also offer training in Medical Gas, Residential and Commercial Code, OSHA, and Backflow Prevention Testing. 

Upcoming Courses 
12/3: Plumbing CE, Dallas (followed by Med Gas course)
   
K-Dimensional Holdings Inc. / CoastPay
      
SupplyHouse.com
   
  
Renewal packets for current Contractor Members have been disseminated, so keep an eye out! Early Bird renewals will accepted through December and rates will increase in the new year. 
 
New PHCC Texas members (first-year introductory or past members who have not been active for 5+ years) can lock in 2022 pricing by joining now. Membership will be activated immediately and will include all of 2023. Interested in joining? Contact membership@phcc-tx.org!
 
  
Please save the date for our next annual conference, scheduled for Aug. 2-4, 2023, at the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Keep an eye out for more details and registration to go live early in the new year. 
 
We are excited to begin developing our educational program for the 2023 Annual Conference, and the call for presentations is now open for submissions.
Attorney Rick Alaniz addresses issues surrounding the current worker shortage.

U.S. employers’ most common complaint across almost all business sectors is an inability to find workers. The coronavirus pandemic and its aftereffects helped generate this continuing problem for many employers. Following the pandemic, roughly three million fewer workers are participating in the labor force today than in February 2020. In addition, more than 10 million job openings exist with fewer than 7 million unemployed workers to fill them.
  
The modern workplace has certainly experienced a considerable remodel over the past few years. It’s no longer simply business as usual. Organizations operating from various locations must break free of barriers to effectively get the job done. But siphoning out the obstructions associated with a stoppage in work isn’t always an easy fix.
 
That’s where Canon Solutions America can help provide the necessary tools. Whether seamlessly collaborating with colleagues and customers or accessing vital information outside of conventional settings, small to medium-sized businesses can actively view and share data through the benefits of a variety of digital solutions, such as cloud-based platforms, workflow automation capabilities, and enterprise content management tools. With advanced software and expert guidance and support from Canon Solutions America, professional contractors and employees can operate efficiently in hybrid environments to effectively keep business moving forward. 
 
Watch this video to unlock how Canon Solutions America can help you capture, manage, preserve, share, store, and deliver information in dynamic workspaces or contact Senior Account Executive Justin Young directly at 512-506-2086 or via email at jyoung@csa.canon.com.
 
  
Fires are a hazard that we can all take steps to minimize and prepare for. We check smoke detectors and change the batteries when needed. We teach our children how to get out of the house and where to meet outside if there is ever a fire in our home. From elementary schools to large corporations, organizations hold fire drills periodically to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. This concept can, and should, be applied to your business continuity plan. Have you held a company “fire drill” lately to prepare for an unexpected absence?

In the unlikely event that you don’t make it to work tomorrow, do your co-owners and key employees know what to do to keep things running smoothly in your absence? If you are the type of business owner who is very hands-on and who does it all, consider the following questions:
 
  
Driving is a dangerous task—it takes focus, awareness, knowledge, and patience to operate a vehicle safely. So when the weather takes a turn, events such as snow, sleet, ice, rain, fog, wind, and extreme temperature fluctuations can contribute to potential disruptive moments on the road, and extra care is needed to continue driving safely. 
  
Question of the Month: We have a friendly, laid-back office environment, and we want our employees to enjoy coming to work. However, we have some employees who are constantly gossiping at the office. Aside from not getting their work done, they’re also creating tension among co-workers. What can we do? I thought we weren’t allowed to prohibit employee discussions, but this is really starting to affect our operations.
   
Taco Comfort Solutions
      
Federated Insurance
   
Most Versatile Durable Modular Storage System
Milwaukee Tool ®
The Milwaukee® PACKOUT™ Modular Storage System is a full system solution for the Site, Transit, and Shop, making PACKOUT™ the most versatile and durable modular storage system in the industry. With over 75 solutions, Milwaukee's PACKOUT system consists of solutions ranging from tool boxes and organizers, to totes, shelving, and more that best suit user’s needs.
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Education
  
Enrollment is now open for the 1-A Apprentice Training in Coppell Feb. 6-9, 2023.
 
This DOL-approved program allows students to maintain a consistent work schedule while attending class for four ten-hour days once each quarter. Instructors lead students through a comprehensive four-year curriculum that includes both classroom and hands-on training, and graduates of this program qualify to sit for Master exam just ONE year following Journeyman license attainment.
  
In a rush? Our digital correspondence option is the quickest way to complete your CE. Students will receive a digital copy of our book and an open-book 150-question exam that you can take at your own pace. There are two options when choosing the most recent correspondence courses: Digital Only and Standard.
 
When choosing the Digital Only option, you will receive a link to download the course and can get started right away! When choosing the Standard option, we also ship you a packet (USPS Priority) with a physical copy of the book and all course materials.
  
Please note: correspondence testing is not an option for students looking to rank up to a Tradesman or Journeyman license, but is a viable option for renewals. 
  
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners has been working diligently to improve processes, communicate updates that impact plumbing licensees in Texas and revise Board Rules. With so much new information coming down the pike, we've compiled these updates online for you! 

Overview of Recent Rule Ammendment Adoptions and Proposals
Legislative Updates
  
This has been a historic, if not unusual, midterm election season. Republicans have just secured a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, falling short of expectations that a “red wave” would sweep Republicans into a comfortable majority in both the House and Senate. Read more from Mark Valentini, PHCC's Director of Legislative Affairs, on what we can expect from Congress and what PHCC's priorities are moving forward. 
 
Be sure to mark your calendar to join PHCC's Chuck White and Mark Valentini on Jan. 11 for a wrap up of 2022 legislative and regulatory activities and the effects on small business. They will do their best to predict the future activities of Congress and the agencies and describe their efforts to support or oppose the Washington D.C. agenda. Mark will also provide an overview of the recent elections and provide some insights on what the results mean to you. Learn more and register here.
Membership
  
We work hard to ensure your PHCC membership provides great value, and we want to know if there are areas where we can expand our support to you. After all, it is because of your membership that we are able to be your resource for education, advocacy, networking, and more! Please take a few moments to complete the 2022 Membership Survey to help us better serve you!
  
Fueling solutions for business: streamline how you manage your company’s fuel expenses.The more your employees fuel at Exxon and Mobil, the more they maximize your rebates. 
 
For questions and/or to start an application, call (443) 668-8425 or email Juan Munoz.
Upcoming Events
Registration required 
Republic Boot Co.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
1133 E 11th St | Houston, TX  77009
Lunch Board Meeting and Annual Planning Session
Registration Required. Committee members invited to join us after lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Benefits
“Best People and Best Practices” deserve the best technology. With over 300 Texas PHCC members, reliable technology should be available to streamline processes and simplify the nature of the business.
  
As a member of the PHCC community, you plug into a powerful network of valuable resources and contractors at the local, state and national level — plus our own PHCC Educational Foundation — offering the knowledge, tools, programs and services you need to succeed.