NSA members were promised an exciting event at the Fall 2014 Membership meeting and were not disappointed. With more than 100 in attendance, Nevada Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick addressed the group, discussing a range of topics from construction defect to Tesla to education to jobs to taxes.

Speaker Kirkpatrick began her remarks with an announcement that an agreement has been reached on an indemnity bill. Praising all sides involved in the negotiation, she stated legislation would be introduced in the 2015 session, possibly as AB 1.

During her introduction, NSA lobbyist Josh Griffin termed Speaker Kirkpatrick “a true friend of the construction industry.” She has worked for years on construction-related issues and noted that the NSA was the first group to endorse her back in 2005.

Kirkpatrick remained well beyond the time she had committed to the meeting, fielding questions from meeting attendees on a wide range of issues affecting NSA members.

NSA Executive Director Cindy Creighton opened the meeting by discussing the accomplishments of the NSA and introducing new NSA Business Development Manager Rebecca Holmstrom. Holmstrom recognized the 15 new NSA members that have joined recently:

• Chicago Painting
• Desert Lumber & Truss
• Distinctive Insurance
• Harris Insurance Services
• JS Pest Control
• Liberty Bay Consultants
• Professional Document Products
• Sahara Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
• Simpson Strong-Tie
• SQS – Blackpointe
• Sun State Components of Nevada
• TRC Framing
• Vision Flooring
• Western States Framing
• World Wide Safety

Karen Griffin of the Coalition to Defeat the Margin Tax Initiative, or the No On 3 campaign, delivered a presentation updating members on the status of the group’s work to defeat Question 3. The Margin Tax would have a devastating effect on businesses in the state, especially members of the NSA, as pointed out by Creighton during her remarks.

Griffin stated that her group is engaged in a widespread education campaign, which will include television ads, as many voters remain unfamiliar with the issue. She encouraged people to take advantage of the group’s website toolkit, where they can obtain paycheck stuffers, tips on writing letters to the editor, breakroom posters and a variety of other collateral.

In addition to Speaker Kirkpatrick other elected officials attending the meeting were Asm. Paul Aizley, Asm. Paul Anderson, Sen. Barbara Cegavske (also running for Nevada Secretary of State), Sen. Majority Leader Mo Denis, Sen. Mark Manendo and Asm. Lynn Stewart. They were joined in attendance by candidates Derek Armstrong and Chris Edwards.

Thanks to the sponsors of the Fall 2014 Membership Meeting, Desert Lumber and AC Pro.