INSIDE: Week Seven Capitol Report Web version

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The BATC Beat

  • It's go time! The Parade of Homes starts on Saturday. We have several news segments scheduled and plenty of advertising to promote the event! More information below.
     
  • Builder Day at the Capitol was a great success! Don't believe us, watch the video below.
     
  • If you hold it, they will come. We had hundreds stop by this year at BATC's Job and Career Fair. Read more below.
     
  • Scholarships awarded! We announced our three scholarship winners today at the Foundation Recognition Luncheon. Read more below.
     
  • Time is running out! Earn your CE credits with BATC-U. Classes run though March. Sign up here.

Great Turn Out for Builder Day at the Capitol!

Thank you to all who attended Builder Day at the Capitol this year! Watch the video above to see why this year's event was such a success. Despite the cold weather, we had over 200 in attendance and more than 80 meetings with legislators! Read more >>


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2015 Session Week 7: Here's What You Need to Know

Another week, another update! – Here’s what happened this past week at the Capitol:

1. BATC Meets with Governor Dayton:  Last Monday BATC received a call from the Governor’s office inviting us to join the Governor for a sprinkler mandate/building code conversation. BATC leaders Chris Contreras, Meg Jaeger, and Shawn Nelson, along with BATC attorney/lobbyist Peter Coyle met with Governor Dayton himself for the first time to talk about the sprinkler mandate and code process. BAM leadership, including Mike Paradise (BAM President) and Clay Dietrich (Dietrich Homes) as well as BAM's Remi Stone and Larry Redmond plus representatives from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) also attended the meeting.

Despite strong contributions in the conversation from our industry leadership regarding the unnecessary sprinkler mandate, the Governor remains opposed. Acknowledging the Governor’s intransigence on this issue, legislators have encouraged BATC to press forward. Expect further activity on the sprinkler mandate and energy code as session moves ahead.

2. Day at the Capitol a Rousing Success: Builder Day at the Capitol was once again a great success! The event proved to be a great opportunity for BATC members, as well as BAM members from across the state, to share with their legislators why home building matters. Watch the video above.

3. Street Improvement Districts Stalled: The annual push by local government groups to establish new authority for cities to create street improvement districts is struggling to move ahead and may be stalled for the session. This is good news for BATC, as we’ve opposed the measure for over a decade.

4. Met Council Bill Would Require Staggered Terms: BATC is tracking HF752, which is a well-positioned Met Council reform measure. Per a MN House GOP Release: Rep. Mark Uglem, R-Champlin, has once again introduced a bill to stagger terms on the Met Council, one of a number of bipartisan proposals aimed at increasing accountability for the sprawling agency. 

5. Budget Forecast Up This Week: The February forecast is set to be released by MN Management and Budget on February 27th. As the final forecast prior to the establishment of a two-year budget, legislative leaders will be able to set the “budget targets” for the respective finance committees.

Read more >>


Busy Day at the BATC Job Fair

The 2015 BATC Job and Career Fair was a success! Hundreds stopped by the Mall of America Rotunda to check out over 200 available jobs. KSTP covered the event! Watch here >>


Getting the Word out on the Parade of Homes

We've got it covered! The Parade of Homes will be featured on numerous TV stations throughout this weekend and early next week. We've also scored a segment later this month to keep the event fresh in everyone's minds. And that's on top of a half-million-dollar media spend. Don't forget to get social with us! Like our Parade of Homes Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for daily updates. 


Our Volunteers Are Amazing!

BATC members are the heart and soul of the BATC Foundation! We had a great afternoon honoring our amazing Foundation volunteers at today's recognition luncheon. KARE 11's Belinda Jensen was our guest speaker. The Foundation awarded three students with scholorships and recognized its 2014 build partners and Dream Home Builders and Remodelers.

Scholarship Recipients
Luke Klemke
Tim Rascher
Eddie Kibira

2014 Build Partners
Che Bella Interiors
Bob Michels Construction

2014 Dream Homes
Bob Michels Construction
Bohland Homes
Hendel Homes
Klein Design & Build
Lecy Bros. Homes and Remodeling
Stonewood LLC
Sustainable 9 Design & Build
TC Homebuilders
Vujovich Design Build, Inc.


Earn Your CAPS Designation

Don't Miss Your Chance to Complete your NAHB CAPS Designation at BATC-U! 
The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program is a valuable opportunity to solidify your position in this niche. Register for individual days OR all three, March 17, 18 & 19. Remember, CAPS courses have limited space so please sign up quickly!


Encourage Your Code Officials

Now is the time to encourage your local code officials to join ICC as a Governmental Member for the 2018 ICC Code Development Cycle.

To discuss and vote on code changes, your code official must become an ICC Governmental Member by March 20, 2015.

Code officials start by filling out this application. The cost to join ICC starts at $125 for a small jurisdiction of 50,000 people or less and goes up to $350 dollars for a jurisdiction with more than 150,000 people.


Upcoming Calendar of Events

February 28 - March 29
Parade of Homes
March 3 - 10
BATC-U Continuing Education [Register]
March 11-12
BATC-U Lead Renovator Refresher [Register]
March 17-19
BATC-U CAPS [Register]
March 27 - 29
Remodelers Showcase
April 2
Builders and Remodelers Show [Register]
July 9
Mid-Year Residential Outlook Breakfast [Register]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.


Thank You to Our 2015 Elite Partners