July 4th, 2009 Fireworks Coupons Now Posted

We’ve posted fireworks coupons for all of our locations in preparation for this 4th!

Here’s the link to our savings page that has all of the coupons.

http://www.alamofireworks.com/texas-fireworks-coupons-spring-2009


Reminder: Fireworks Don’t Fly

Our friends over at the Federal Aviation Administration asked us to remind everyone that you cannot take fireworks (or any other explosive) onto a commercial airplane.  Please don’t do it!

More information on our Safety information page:

http://www.alamofireworks.com/alamo-fireworks-safety-information-for-fireworks-use

Alamo Fireworks in Nevada Happenings

1) I’ve been asked a few times when we’re getting more cakes in and what:
a) We have merchandise showing up there in mid-to-late August. X-CELs, Big Boy, Battle of the Alamo, Rip Rap and a few other of the cakes that people have liked.
b) Starting in August/Sept, I expect arrival of about 40-50 new 200g-350g-500g cakes (some new, some new to us). I can post what we have on order if there’s interest. Shogun and Brothers and Alamo branded items to start with. Notable is an Up-rageous clone that we’re calling “Battle Kittens.”
c) We plan to bring on Dominator and possibly Golden Bear. If anyone has any GB requests, hit me up.

2) What about Excal-type reloadables, etc?
a) I’m working on bringing one on.  I promise it’ll be good. (If not, I’ll work until I get a good one )
b) We’ve received already the Shogun commercial grade shells. Those’ll be up there in August.
c) We’re doing a Zillionaire clone called the “e-bomb”. Have a ton on order.

Texas Fireworks Sales Start in Two Weeks!

It’s hard to stay calm when Texas fireworks sales start in just two weeks.  We’ve spent the past six months acquiring the best quality and performing fireworks for your enjoyment.  With the recovering economy and end of the drought, things are looking up and we’re here to help you celebrate.  Be sure to come visit our website around opening day to see our Texas Fireworks deals online.  We promise you’ll be blown away (pun intended…)

Texas Fireworks Industry 2009 Legislative Session Recap & Outlook

Michael Girdley, Alamo Fireworks, Inc. Michael at sign alamofireworks.com 6/9/09

Executive Summary:

  • No substantial legislation passed either in favor or against consumer fireworks.
  • Industry worked well to kill anti-fireworks legislation.
  • Industry must have one voice through one association to stay in business

Status Quo Maintained

Entering the 2009 legislative session, the different fireworks constituents had different priorities.  East Texas vendor priorities centered on Harris County regulating fireworks out business through building codes and Houston Limited Purpose Annexations (LPAs).  West Texas vendors wanted to repair the disaster powers added in a back-room, late night conference committee in 2007 and fix the transportation issues.  In the Valley, the dominant vendor wanted to deal with annexation of permanent stores by municipalities.

The counties wanted expanded powers for disaster declarations, building codes, and other regulation of fireworks including outright prohibition at their discretion.  In the end, both sides stopped the process and no bills became law.

Industry Efforts Stop Anti-Fireworks Bills

Our three main lobbyists and the fireworks people did a fine job of killing anti-fireworks bills.  It is worth noting that no anti-fireworks bills progressed out of either chamber of the House and many never left committees.  At one point, a floor amendment to a house bill by Rep. Quintanilla was removed when members recalled the bill after it had already passed the house .  The only two bills to leave the House were both positive bills, Rep Smith’s transportation bill being the most notable.  No anti-fireworks bills even reached the Senate floor.

Industry Fragmentation Led to Failure

There are two major fireworks associations:  the Texas Pyrotechnic Association (TPA) comprised of larger and mostly West Texas vendors and the Texas Fireworks Association (TFA), comprised of many smaller and a few large fireworks vendors with a few exceptions on each side.  In addition, there are many vendors and manufacturers not involved in either association.  My company, Alamo Fireworks, hired our own independent lobbyist and pursued our agenda.

It’s impossible in our current state of fragmentation to negotiate anything with counties.  Legislators receive mixed messages and won’t act if they will fear a dissenting voice from another vendor.  A legislator must have industry consensus to do battle with the Association of County Judges and/or the Association of Urban Counties.  Here’s an excerpt of an email from Don Lee on 5/23/09, the lead lobbyist for the Council of Urban Counties:

“I will point out that the fireworks industry, much like counties, is a multi-headed lobby that rarely agrees on the same things. I cannot even keep track of the various fireworks associations and separate lobbyist. Even if you, Jim (Allison, the lobbyist for the Texas County Judges Association) and I were to reach agreement on something it would not include all of the industry and would likely immediately come under attack and attempts to change it.”

Passing laws is very tough in Texas and nothing will be accomplished while we are fragmented.  The TFA, TPA and all the independent vendors must unite into a single association with a single voice.  Even if some members disagree on particular issues we have to stop infighting and keeping secrets.  This is imperative if we hope to stay in business and the only way we’re going to stay in business is through legislative changes.

As I write this today, Bexar County is talking disaster declaration and our KBDI is at 533, which does not even qualify as a drought under Texas Statutes.  Even if your region will never suffer high fire danger, this concerns you.  If companies like Mr. W, Alamo, American and TNT go out of business in West Texas, the industry as a whole will eventually die without us defending our industry in Austin.  If the counties find drought as the means to get rid of us, they’ll use building codes or something else to run you out of business.

New Coupons Added for Alabama/Atlanta, Nevada and New Hampshire/Boston Stores

We’ve added a number of coupons to each page for our Lanett Alabama, Londondery New Hampshire and Amargosa Valley Nevada fireworks stores.  Print out these coupons and bring them in.  Help us move some fireworks out the door through these great deals!  For our Texas customers, check back on this website around June 24th for Texas deals!