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October 26, 2007

HUDSON VALLEY: The BAHV is Working for YOU to Change 240/241

Our industry has been given some assurances that Spitzer and the State Legislature will be considering 240/241 reform this session, but that if reform agreements are not reached this year, we may have lost our chance.

So, I have been harassing lobbying our regional representatives and the Assembly leadership on the issue. The Republican caucus is very well schooled on the issue and is eager to address reform in order to make homeownership more accessible and the cost of doing business more welcoming in New York State. Where our challenge lies, as you know, is in the Democratic party, and most especially the Governor, who is a trial lawyer himself.

On Thursday, I testified before the Republican Assembly Small Business Task Force, and you can see a brief summary in the Times Herald Record here: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071026/BIZ/710260351 . The reporter misinterpreted what I had said... but the article shows that we are out there and involved, and that can only increase awareness.

Our biggest hurdle is EDUCATION. Builders and our membership are well aware of the ramifications of 240/241 and the inability to retain affordable liability insurance, if you can find it at all. But what the general public doesn't know, is what the exorbitantly priced coverage is doing to the price of homes. It was recommended that builders add the "cost" as a line item on invoices so that the public can begin to become equally as outraged. Just a thought. If you think it's a great idea, use it. If you don't, don't call and tell me I'm an idiot. I'll hold it against you. J

Last night, I had the ability to corner speak with Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun and Assemblymen Tom Kirwan, Greg Ball, Marc Molinaro, Joel Miller and Assembly Leader Jim Tedisco on the issue. They are all on board, and are ready to partner with us on this reform process.

Good news for now. I'll keep you posted.

HUDSON VALLEY: Digging Safely

Do you have feedback on how Part 753 is written, and how protection of underground facilities currently is regulated? Do you want pre-demolition regulations to be more specific? Should natural gas be the only utility requiring mapping? We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback. Rachel@hvbuilder.com

HUDSON VALLEY: Green Buildings: Overcoming the Obstacles

The Builders Association of the Hudson Valley is co-sponsoring an upcoming seminar to be held at the Newburgh Library. Attached, please find the updated program flyer. If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor, please contact the Orange County Citizens Foundation, contact information to be found in flyer.

HUDSON VALLEY: Scenic Hudson Plans $500 Million Preservation Initiative

In its quest to preserve "the land that matters most," Scenic Hudson announced a plan to raise $500 million to save 65,000 acres from Westchester County to the Capital Region.

The land targeted for preservation features mountaintops, marshlands, tributary shorelines, farmland and areas with "iconic views." Ned Sullivan, President, implored state and local government and land trusts to join in the latest preservation effort.

Sullivan noted two points of urgency, the first being that unplanned, unchecked development along the rejuvenated shores of the Hudson River are a detriment to the landscape, drinking water, traffic patterns and local agriculture. In a press release, he said such threats "stifle lasting economic progress."

The second concern is the importance of preserving riverfront parcels in time for the 2009 celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river.

To demonstrate the kind of property Scenic Hudson wants to save, Sullivan cited 334 acres in Hyde Park that the organization purchased opposite the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home and Library National Historic District, and turned it over to the National Park Service. (Daily Freeman)

DUTCHESS: County Taxes and Political Sparring

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071023/NEWS01/710230321

ORANGE: County Commits Additional Funds to Fight NYRI

Orange County Executive Edward Diana Thursday said the county has committed another $25,000 to fight the New York Regional Interconnect project in addition to the $50,000 it already contributed.

"Orange County remains committed to fighting this devastating project and would urge the New York State Comptrollers office to finish their review and release the state's portion of their promised funding," Diana said.

Orange County is a participating member of CARI, Communities Against Regional Interconnection, which is compromised of the eight counties and five citizen groups that are opposing this project in New York State. (MidHudsonNews.com)

SULLIVAN: County to Conduct Real Property Auction

One Tuesday, October 30, the County of Sullivan will be holding a property auction and auctioning off approximately 23 parcels for non-payment of taxes. The auction will be conducted by Haroff Auction and Realty, Inc, Absolute Auction and Realty, Inc. and will be held in the Hearing Room of the County Legislature in the Sullivan County Government Center at 100 North Street in Monticello.

The brochure of parcels and additional information may be viewed online at nysauctions.com and hard copies of the brochure will be available at the County Treasurer's Office at the County Government Center.

Any questions regarding the auction should be directed to the Sullivan County Real Property Administration at 845-794-3000, ext. 3242. (MidHudsonNews.com)

ULSTER: Budget Remains Under 4%

Ulster County Administrator Michael Hein laid out two objectives for the 2008 budget: stabilizing county finances to protect property taxpayers; and delivering on legislative reform themes of "efficiency, accountability and transparency.

The bottom line is a budget that will increase the property tax levy by 3.65 percent, the lowest increase in three years. Last year, the hike was 7.5 percent. The previous year, property owners were clobbered with a 39 percent tax levy hike. (MidHudsonNews.com)

ULSTER: Course To Keep Energy Bills Down

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County's Relatives as Parents and the state's EmPower New York programs are offering a free course on weatherization and energy savings Monday.

Participants will learn simple weatherization techniques, how to reduce your energy bill using low-cost, no-cost energy conservation methods and how to prepare for and survive a power outage. Free energy-saving items will be provided. The workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Ellenville Public Library, 40 Center St.

The session is free and open to the public. Child care and refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is required.

E-mail els235@cornell.edu or call 845-340-3990 to reserve a seat. Visit http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/ulster for information on the extension's home energy savings programs. (Poughkeepsie Journal)

ULSTER: Farm Workers Will Get Housing Help

Ulster County has received $600,000 from New York State Office of Small Cities for its Farm Worker Housing Rehabilitation in 2007. The funds will be used to provide new modular housing on 16 farms in Ulster. Each farm will contribute a cash match, bringing the total to more than $768,000.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County will administer the program as it has experience in farm worker housing and administered a similar project in 2001.

Call 845-340-3990 or visit http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/ulster

WESTCHESTER: Need Input

The Journal News is where I look for updates on all things Westchester to relay to our members. However, their online edition is seriously lacking, and I end up spending more time culling through headlines of perverts, restaurant fires, domestic disputes and apparently newsworthy weather. We need better coverage of local issues and industry updates in Westchester - but I need your help. If you see articles in the print edition, or in your specific local paper, please pass it along to me at Rachel@hvbuilder.com.

WESTCHESTER: White Plains Common Council Candidates Find Common Ground on Taxes, Development

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS02/710210333/1018/NEWS02

WESTCHESTER: Yonkers 'Living Wage' Bill Gets Another Shot

The City Council's latest version of a "living wage" law may be getting another shot.

Amicone spokesman David Simpson sounded skeptical, however, saying the latest proposal lacked analysis of its economic effect on city government and private businesses, one of the criticisms the mayor had leveled at the earlier bill. He added that the vote, coming less than three weeks before city elections, appeared to be timed for its political effect.

The bill applies to businesses that occupy spaces of 15,000 square feet or more and have $1 million in gross revenue annually. The law does not apply to workers younger than 18 or those who work in a government training program or city or private youth employment programs.

The proposal would set the living wage at $11.85 per hour; the state's minimum wage is $7.15.

The council proposal would apply to businesses receiving $150,000 in benefits from the city government as well as the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency. The mayor's version would only count benefits directly from the city. Simpson said the mayor had never actually proposed a bill, but had raised several proposals in discussions. (Journal News)

WESTCHESTER: District 9 Candidates Spar Over Affordable Housing

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/NEWS02/710250408/1018

WESTCHESTER: Mount Pleasant Candidates Focus on Zoning, Infrastructure

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/NEWS02/710250436/1018