Texans, you have not seen this in the news, but you should have.  You’re health and safety could be at stake.  Since 1947 the State of Texas has been governed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE).  Historians know that history does repeat itself.  Historians also know, that those individuals lacking historical knowledge can be the reason bad decisions are made.  To give you a history lesson as briefly as possible.  In 1937

(Original Caption) 3/19/1937-New London, Texas-Frantic parents, rescue workers and oil field employees probe a tangled and twisted mass of wrecage after a terrific explosion had leveled all but this corner of the New London High School, near Overton, TX. In one of the nation’s most terrible catastrophes over six hundred bodies have been recovered from the ruins.

plumbing was not regulated in the state of Texas.  One of the critical reason that the TSBPE was established was because an individual, not a licensed plumber, installed the plumbing and natural gas in the New London School.  On March 18, 1937 a natural gas leak caused an explosion, destroying the school and killing 295 students.  The TSBPE has kept Texans safe ever since.  Not only safe from explosions but also backflow prevention, which separates clean water from sewer water, as well as medical gas installation and regulation.

Why should you know about this?  Because Sate Representative Paddie voted that the TSBPE be abolished and last night 5/27/19 it was.  As of 9/1/2020 the TSBPE will no longer exist making it legal for anyone, anyone just like the person responsible for the 1937 explosion killing 295 students to do plumbing in your state, your home, your schools, your hospitals, because there will be no one to govern it.  If the responsibility goes to the city level governing bodies, you will have to pay even more for work performed because responsible plumbers could be required to carry multi city licenses rather that 1 state governed license.

What can you do? Call the Governors office 512-463-2000 Leave a message stating you want the governor to call a special session for House Bill 1550.  This would extend the TSBPE two more years.