Weekly Update from HBA of Chester/Delaware Counties

July 24, 2008 "Building Better Communities Together"

HBA WEEKLY UPDATE

Attention Members

The HBA Board of Directors has decided to promote the NAHB Green Building standards with the stipulation that the Standards receive ANSI approval.

NEWS

House expected to vote on the bill; could become law this week
WASHINGTON - President Bush dropped his opposition Wednesday to legislation aiming to calm the chaotic housing market despite his objections to a $3.9 billion provision. The House was expected to vote on the bill Wednesday, and it could become law as early as this week.
Under the bill, the government would help struggling homeowners get new, cheaper loans and would be allowed to offer troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a cash infusion.
More...

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Housing Stimulus Tax Credit house of cash

Congress must move quickly to avert an economic crisis. The best way to jump-start housing and the economy is to pass a housing stimulus package that includes a temporary tax credit for home buyers.

Click here for a five-minute video from NAHB's Legislative Conference that explains the need to enact a housing stimulus package to move the economy forward. In the video, NAHB's Greg Brown and Rob Dietz discuss a first-time home buyer tax credit.

Confused about TMDLs?

Don Curley, P.C., will be attending the next Legislative Action Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 12th at 8:00 AM to present on pollution trading and TMDLs. He will be providing an:

Overview of Market Mechanisms
Historical Perspectives for using Market
Mechanisms for Air and Water Pollution Control
Role of TMDL
Application to Runoff

HBA created legislation signed by Governor Rendell

Due to the efforts of the Legal Task Force, ACT 39 (HB 1329) and ACT 40 (HB 1330), which provide fixes to the Glen-Gery and Luke v. Cataldi decisions, were signed into law last week.

ACT 39 (HB 1329) Amends the MPC providing for optional notice of ordinance or decision and procedural validity challenges; further providing for ordinance provisions and for jurisdiction of the zoning hearing board and the court of common please in challenges to the validity of an ordinance for procedural defects in the process of enactment.

ACT 40 (HB 1330) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for appeals generally and for appeals from ordinances, resolutions, maps, ect.

Full text versions of these laws will be available on the HBA website.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS

CSP I:Certified New Home Sales Professional

Suburban West Realtors Association

August 12, 19, 26th

9am-5pm

Earn your CSP designation (must attend all three sessions)

Green Building for Building Professionals (2 day course)

Dewey Companies

September 10th-11th

9am-5pm

Open to builders and associates

Designations: CGA, CGB