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LAST CHANCE to Earn 6 CE Credits in 1 Day |
Day of Education
Thursday, December 10th I 9am - 4pm
HBA Office, 2424 N. Arnoult Road
Schedule:
9-11am: Protecting your Assets
Speaker: Jennifer Gerarve, V.P. Financial Planning Division,
Wealth Solutions, LLC
11am-1pm: New & Upcoming Code Changes and How they will Affect Contractors
Speaker: Phil Hoffman, Hoffman Custom Built Homes, LLC
2-4pm: Home Hardening
Speaker: Rolf Parelius, Viking Construction Services
Sponsored By:
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Local Member Company Recognized for Safety Programs |
Landis Residential Builders was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders & Builder Mutual Insurance Company for their safety programs. The company took 1st place in the Safety Award For Excellence (SAFE) Remodeler Safety Program of the Year (Less than 50 employees) and Single Family Home Builder Safety Program of the Year (Less than 10 home starts per year).
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THANK YOU to Jefferson Joining Forces Donors |
Thank you to these companies who have assisted NOEL's Jefferson Joining Forces project by providing estimates for our recent sites.
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Standards for Construction Dumpsters - City of New Orleans |
If your project in New Orleans requires the placement of construction dumpsters in the right-of-way (street, sidewalk, alley, or other publicly owned space) a permit is required prior to the delivery of the dumpster!
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Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Awards |
2015 Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Competition
Presented by LHBA's Remodelers Council
Deadline Estended!
Entry Packet Deadline: Friday, December 11
Entry Fees
Remodelers Council Members
First Entry : $75
Additional Entries : $25
LHBA Members
First Entry : $100
Additional Entries : $50
Non-LHBA Members
First Entry : $250
Additional Entries : $150
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The HomeBuilders SIF Board of Trustees recently met for its Quarterly Trust Meeting. On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to share these meeting highlights:
$3 MILLION IN DIVIDENDS TO BE DISTRIBUTED BEFORE END OF FUND YEAR
The SIF will distribute a $1 Million dividend to qualifying members in November 2015 and $2 Million in March 2016. This will bring the total dividends distributed during the 2015 Fund Year to $4 Million and the total returned to date to nearly $80 Million.
2014 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financials for the 2014 fund year (ending 3/31/2015) are complete. The HomeBuilders SIF has once again posted outstanding results. Net income before member distribution and provision for income taxes for the fund year was $3.2 Million. Total written premiums for the Fund Year were nearly $21 Million, with total revenues of $23.8 Million. Total Fund assets now exceed $70.1 Million. The audited financials are available online for your review at lhbasif.com or members can call the SIF to request a copy.
2016 RATES
Based on an actuarial rate analysis, the SIF Board voted to leave rates as is for the 2016 Fund Year. Since 2008, the SIF has effectively reduced rates by nearly 30%.
NEW MEMBERS
From 4/1/15-9/30/15 the SIF wrote 61 new members in our local. Forty-three of those members qualified for the VIP program.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve on your behalf. I will work to ensure that the HomeBuilders SIF remains the strong, stable choice for workers' compensation in our industry. Please call on me if I can be of any service to you or your business.
- Phil Hoffman, HomeBuilders SIF Representative from HBAGNO
PO Box 2911
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
www.lhbasif.com | 225.387.0286 PHONE 877.LHBASIF (542.2743) TOLL FREE lhbasif@lhbasif.com EMAIL 225.334.0312 FAX |
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Update from Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement |
As  the year 2015 comes to a close, the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement celebrates the advancements and enhancements made in the past four years that have better served our building industry. Securing online permitting through My Permit Now has allowed our customers to save time and money by applying for permits, requesting inspections, and getting results of inspections - all online! Lobby renovations and innovations, as well as the addition of two plan reviewers, have resulted in greatly reduced wait times in our lobbies. The acquisition of mobile "hot spots" have enabled our customers to get "real time" inspection results, and the inspectors have reduced their arrival time "windows" for more efficiency. Accountability measures and equipment have been put in place to insure maximum productivity out of the workday - all of this to better serve you. At the Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement, we recognize that your investment in Jefferson Parish is your choice, and we strive to show our appreciation in every opportunity we have to serve you.
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Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. is President of GraphsandLaughs, LLC and can be reached at Elliot@graphsandlaughs.net. His daily 70 word economics and policy blog can be seen at www.econ70.com.
While the unemployment rate is 5.1% and has fallen smartly since peaking at 10% in October 2009, a key question is why? Part of the decline is due to people finding work who were previously unemployed, however part of the decline is from people dropping out of the labor force. To this end, there are 92 million Americans who are currently not part of the labor force. But that number includes, among others, retirees, students, and stay-at-home parents, groups that by necessity don't work and are thus not part of the labor force. That said, realistically how many Americans are not in the labor force, and more importantly, is the problem getting worse?
First, the population of the US is roughly 319 million. Of that number, about 65 million are under 16 and are excluded from employment data for obvious reasons. That leaves roughly 255 million Americans who are over 16. However, that number includes 43 million Americans over 66, the age at which full Social Security benefits are available. Excluding such persons, even though some are employed, leaves 212 million people between 16 and 66.
Of the 21 million between ages 16 and 20, 54% are in school, and one-third are in the labor force, meaning they are working or actively looking for work. And of the 23 million persons between 21 and 25, 73% are in the labor force and 13% are in school. Thus, between the ages of 16 and 25, 6 million people neither work nor attend school. For these ages, this is the number of persons who are really not part of the labor force.
Of the 105 million persons between the ages of 26 and 50, 82% work, 8% care for a family member, which is not surprising given the number of school-age children and aging parents, 2% attend school, while 6% are either on disability or would like employment but are not seeking it out. Of the 62 million persons between 51 and 66, two-thirds work, 16% are retired and 12% are disabled, with the remaining 6% split between those wanting but not looking for a job and those caring for a family member. Thus, between the ages of 26 and 66, there are 20 million persons not working, not caring for a family member, not in school, and not retired, the number effectively not in the labor force.
So compared to decades ago are things better or worse? It depends. Compared to 1999, when labor force participation rates were at their all-time high, several things are apparent. First, back then Baby Boomers were in their prime working years, today they are in their 50s and 60s and rapidly retiring. Second, the percentage of full-time students has risen for every age category. Third, the percentage that are disabled and fourth, the percentage wanting a job but not looking for one have both risen across all age categories. It's these last two categories that are of concern.
In conclusion, the "real" number of Americans not in the labor force is at most 26 million, not the 92 million number that is widely cited, because many of those individuals are in school, caring for a family member, or as increasingly is the case, have retired. That said, the increase in the percentage of discouraged workers, those on disability, those in school, and those that are retired has risen by about five percentage points since 1999, thereby reducing both the labor force participation rate and the unemployment rate.
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Earn 6 CE Credits in 1 Day |
Day of Education
Thursday, November 12
9am - 4pm
CORT Furniture, 5035 Bloomfield Street, Jefferson
9-11am: More Money for You, Less for Uncle Sam
11am-1pm: Construction & Real Estate Business Lending Environments
2-4pm: Longevity Insight & Planning
Sponsored By:
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New Orleans Named 1 of Top 10 Cities for Contractors |
Home improvement contractors have it tough. From understanding the art and science of their profession to navigating the morass of rules that govern modern construction projects, they need to have a keen eye for detail to succeed in their industry. Americans paid pros nearly $130 billion dollars to work on 30 million home improvement projects in 2013, according to the Census Bureau. And for many of those projects a huge stack of rules govern what work can be done when and by whom.
From electrical codes to plumbing inspections to lead removal standards, the many rules that govern home improvement projects explain why contractors in 75 out of 95 cities we looked at have a more negative view of their local government than the overall average in the Thumbtack Small Business Friendliness Survey.
So which cities are doing relatively well by their contractors? See who else made the list..
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HBI Student Chapter at Delgado |
Representatives from NAHB, HBAGNO, the New Orleans Home and Garden Show, and NOEL visited the incoming class of HBI Student Chapter members at Delgado's new Sidney Collier Campus.
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Update from Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement |
At the Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement, we strive to inspect your project within one day of your request - and, at times, we're able to accommodate you the same day! When making inspection requests to our office, please remember the below helpful hints that could "help us help you."
- Be prepared to provide the correct permit number, as well as exactly what is to be inspected (i.e. house, pool, fence or accessory structure). If more than one building is on the site, please be certain to provide the building and/or unit number;
- Insure that all necessary documents (i.e. survey, form or elevation) have been submitted prior to requesting your inspection;
- Be certain that your sub-contractors know your project's permit number; and,
- Follow the status of your project by visiting MyGovernmentOnline.org - here you can check on your inspection results and print reports 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
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Employment Opportunity: New Orleans Building Inspector |
New Orleans Civil Service: Chief Building Inspector Entrance Salary: $49,889 per year See full job description here. |
HBAGNO board member Zachary Tyson, Tyson Construction, and his family have been asked to participate in a build for Army war veteran, Sergeant Nathan Young. Tyson Construction will be the GC on the Young family's new home in Ashton Plantation.
Operation Finally Home is a national, non profit organization, created in 2005, that helps build mortgage free homes for wounded veterans, surviving spouses and their families. They bring builders, the military and local communities together to provide a foundation for the veterans and their families to move forward in their lives. To date, Operation Finally Home has built homes in 26 states.
To date (10/29), the Tysons have secured over 40, full or partial donations for materials and/or labor from concrete to roofing shingles, to appliances. They still have areas of need, and are accepting any and all donations to help with the build, along with basic living needs once the Youngs move into their new home.
Contact Zach Tyson at Tyson Construction for more details on the project and how you can help. Email: Zach@Tyson-Construction.com Phone: 504-905-1042
"Notes of Love" Home Signing
Monday, November 2nd, 1 - 4pm
Ashton Plantation, 319 Calcasieu Drive, Luling
LET'S SHARE A FEW WORDS OF RESPECT AND GRATITUDE WITH AN AMERICAN HERO.
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Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. is President of GraphsandLaughs, LLC and can be reached at Elliot@graphsandlaughs.net. His daily 70 word economics and policy blog can be seen at www.econ70.com.
With our economy growing slowly for nearly a decade, it's time to promote policies that will spur growth. While there are always the obvious ones such as reducing government regulation, improving K-12 education and offering investment tax credits to firms, the first two are at best long-term reclamation projects while the latter costs money, which is in short supply. Below are five suggestions, each of which costs little to no money, and collectively they can boost annual GDP growth by 20% to 25%/year or $80 billion annually.
Begin by lowering the US corporate tax rate of 35% closer to the average developed world rate of 20%. Our high rate pushes firms to exploit loopholes, encourages firms to keep foreign earnings abroad and promotes corporate inversions and foreign takeovers of US firms. Worse, it brings in little revenue. A lower rate would attract investment from abroad, boosting productivity. At the same time simplify the personal income tax system. It is complicated, unfair and inefficient. At a minimum reduce marginal rates, widen the tax base and rid the code of some deductions. Plenty of studies show how this can be done while remaining revenue neutral.
Next, pass trade reform. At present, US exporters face an average tariff rate of close to 7% and more importantly, a host of non-tariff barriers. As the world's leader in services exports such as banking, insurance, music, movies and agricultural exports, increased trade is critical to growth. Moreover, the US generally has lower trade barriers than most other nations, so elimination of trade barriers is additionally beneficial. And due to the size and wealth of our market, other nations will be willing to make trade deals to get better access to it.
Something else to do; provide the Highway Trust Fund with a permanent source of sufficient revenue so that it is not perpetually in need of emergency monies from the general fund to remain solvent. Ideally raising the fuel tax, last increased to 18.4 cents/gallon in 1993, to eliminate this problem would be best, but nearly any source of dedicated revenue will do. As it is, we systematically underinvest in roads, bridges, tunnels and airports, yet these are precisely what establish conditions for long-run growth. Skimping on infrastructure is penny wise and pound foolish.
Reduce the number of professions where licensing is required. Over the past 40 years the number of professions that require licensing has risen from 10% to almost 30%. Licensing hits the poor hardest and erects barriers to entry for the less educated. For health and safety reasons sure, but 163 days of training for a manicurist in Alabama - that's clearly overkill.
Last but not least, get on with immigration reform! At a minimum, pass limited legislation where both parties are in agreement. Increase the number of H-1B visas that admit skilled foreigners. This will not depress wages of union workers and will increase the flow of human capital here. The more talent we attract, the faster we grow. We are engaged in competition with other nations such as Canada, Britain, Germany and Australia for the most talented. There is no reason for us to be turning away highly educated individuals who wish to live here.
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The Member Rebate Program is a free member benefit of your State & Local Home Builders Association.
There are over 40 of the country's leading manufacturer brands participating in the Member Rebate Program.Visit Member Benefits for more information, or CLICK HERE to view an online brochure with helpful information about the program.
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Also Supported By:
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December Calendar of Events
All Events held at HBA office unless otherwise noted
See details below for
"Featured Events"
3) PWB Jingle & Mingle (PWB Members Only)
4) Holiday Breakfast @ 8:30am
Cafe NOMA, Inside New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park
9) Executive Commttee Meeting @ 4pm
9) Remodelers & Advanced Building Practices Councils Holiday Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30pm
Triton Stone, 6131 River Road
10) Day of Education, 9am-4pm
15) Board of Directors Meeting @ 4pm
17) Parade of Homes Committee Meeting @ 1:30pm
23-25) Office Closed, Christmas
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Professional Women in Building Council Jingle & Mingle Holiday Party
Thursday, December 3
6:30pm
Hosted by: Teri & Frank Morse
504-415-0289
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Annual Holiday Breakfast
Friday, December 4
8:30-10am
Cafe Nome, Inside New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park
Bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
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Remodelers & Advanced Building Practices Councils Holiday Party!
Wednesday, December 9
5:30-7:30pm
Triton Stone, 6131 River Road
RSVP by Monday, December 7th to be entered into the prize drawing!
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Day of Education
Thursday, December 10
9am - 4pm
HBA Office, 2424 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie
9-11am: Protecting your Assets
11am-1pm: New & Upcoming Code Changes and How they will Affect Contractors
2-4pm: Home Hardening
Sponsored By:
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JOB POSTINGS
Members: List your job opening here at no charge!
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Quick Links & Resources
* Under Compliance, click on Employers' Workers' Compensation Coverage Verification |
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2015 Senior Officers of the Board
President, Roy Olsen
Vice President, Floyd Simeon
Treasurer, Mike LeCorgne
Secretary, Frank Morse
Immediate Past President, Brian Mills
2015 Board of Directors
Steve Albert John Arms Fernando Arriola Nick Castjohn Ric Darling Charlie Fontenelle Eddie Gandolfi Phil Hoffman Kevin Katner Jo Ann Kostik Michael Kraft Peter Lanaux Ben Laws Bruce Layburn Harold LeBlanc Scott Morse Helmut Mundt Randy Noel Lynda Nugent Smith Rolf Parelius Zach Tyson Kirk Williamson Steve Wobbema Wes Wyman Peter Young
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Please contact Lauren at the HBA office with any pertinent industry-related issues and/or professional achievements you'd like to share with your association members.
Feature Articles in upcoming issues of sticks & bricks or HBA's printed publication, the homebuilder quarterly(HQ), are FREE opportunities for HBA members to market themselves to 1,000+ industry professionals.
Click Here to Request Details and Submitter Deadlines
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