In the last issue, I jumped on my “soapbox” and ranted about what a difference we do make. I begged everyone to get out and vote and I lectured that if you did not vote, you have no
right to complain.

In this issue, written as the General Assembly begins its 60 days of bantering back and forth, I have to write that we had a hugely successful Legislative day on the “hill” here in Richmond. We did not see as many legislators as we had hoped because just as we got there to begin our deliveries (of our “goody bags”) they went into session. We had some very nice chats with the legislative aides but not many chats with legislators themselves. I am not sure you realize how important it is to “chat” with the aides. It is VERY important as they really have the ear of the legislator and if we make a good impression on them, and we have an opportunity to tell them about “our issues”, they pass it on to their legislator and that, folks, is what it is all about.

What made this an exceptional and successful “day on the hill” was that we had an audience with the Governor. Our huge thanks go to Dan Foley, who knows Larry Roberts (General Counsel to the Governor). He managed to get us a fifteen minute visit with Governor Kaine. Well, our fifteen minutes actually ended up being twenty-five minutes and that is phenomenal. To be able to sit with the Governor, on the 2nd day of the GA session is almost
unheard of.

I was wowed!!! He was gracious, easy-going and personal. He was easy to talk to and moved the conversation smoothly from our issues to what he was doing, as Governor, about our issues. He learned about our personal businesses and about our P-H-C association and we got all our points across—and we felt like he heard us! All that in twenty-five minutes…..whew!!!!! Again, many thanks to Dan Foley for arranging this meeting (another benefit of membership in this wonderful organization).

We also had the pleasure of Delegate Ward Armstrong (House Minority Leader) welcoming us personally when we saw him in a local restaurant. I chatted briefly with him and told him the board was there eating dinner and he volunteered to come in and welcome us. It was an added treat to an already successful day!

One of the pieces of legislation we were able to discuss with our representatives is a “resolution” put forth by both the House (courtesy of Delegate Ed Scott) and the Senate (courtesy of Senator Edd Houck) commending the National PHCC on 125 years and setting aside “National Plumbing Industry Week” from April 27-May 3, 2008. It is rare that an association remains in existence for 125 years and that is commendable. Our own state association (PMPV/VAPHCC) has been in existence for 85 years, another milestone.

We are also watching HB406 which is an effort to thwart unlicensed contractors. It states that when a contractor makes application for a new or renewal of a business license in a locality, the contractor will have to show satisfactory evidence of having a state license. This sounds like a no-brainer to those of us who are in compliance. However, the Commissioners of Revenues for counties, cities, and towns may object as it will require them to add this one step for compliance and they are afraid it may cause them to lose a source of revenue as unlicensed contractors who flaunt the state laws may also flaunt the locality BPOL license laws. Our argument to that is: these same counties, cities, and towns should want only licensed contractors operating in their jurisdiction. Please contact you legislator and ask him/her to VOTE YES on HB406.

I will keep you posted as to the progress of both of these and any other bills I am following. As always, please call or e-mail me with questions or issues during this session. And remember….WE DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!

Laurie C. Crigler
Legislative Chair, PMPV