Soaring Housing Regulatory Costs Highlighted By Pioneer Press
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feature article on the front page of Sunday’s Pioneer Press focused on the soaring regulatory costs of housing in Minnesota. The article succeeded in illustrating the negative effect Minnesota’s regulatory environment has on housing affordability and its impact on homeowners, homebuilders and the Minnesota economy. BATC spent significant time on multiple interviews over the past year, providing reporters Bob Shaw and Tad Vezner with industry background and commentary. The result was a comprehensive look at housing cost drivers, with industry expertise provided by multiple BATC members, including BATC President Bob Michels. This article echoes our core message of addressing housing affordability and the need to create more opportunities for first-time homebuyers.
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Our Work Building a Housing Movement Continues
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As BATC has elevated the industry cause over the past three years, we’ve learned a single story or a single election victory alone cannot solve our industry's problems. You are helping to create a dynamic housing movement that utilizes our strengths, and those of our partners the Minnesota REALTORS, enabling us to build out Minnesota’s housing movement. In fact, the Star Tribune recently mentioned how BATC’s advocacy efforts have elevated housing issues as part of the long-term discussion in St. Paul. Coverage like this brings greater awareness to our modern advocacy
efforts and helps us balance our regulatory structure. BATC will continue to directly address the many regulatory threats to the industry, while advancing our message that we must build safe, durable homes at a price that families can afford. We could not do this without the leadership at BATC, our professional staff, our consultants, and most of all, you, the members who are building the housing movement and Minnesota’s communities.
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Legislature Enters Home Stretch
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After a ten-day break, the legislature reconvened today. With exactly five weeks remaining until they adjourn, BATC’s Homeownership Initiative remains in play on several fronts. Active issues include legislation for the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account, common interest community ownership, townhome definition alignment, housing regulation oversight, and more. The challenge of finding compromises between the legislature and the Governor will be key to keeping the collection of proposals on track. Staff is continuing discussions with legislative leaders and the Governor’s staff as we prepare for an intense final five weeks of the session. Follow us on Twitter to receive live updates from the Capitol.
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Regulatory Update: Could Stretch Energy Codes Come to Minnesota?
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Last week, BATC met with representatives from the Buildings, Benchmarks & Beyond (B3) bench marking group regarding a proposal for a secondary energy code (stretch codes) for Minnesota cities. This stretch code, if enacted by the State of Minnesota, would allow local governments to require the Sustainable Buildings 2030 (SB2030) standard as their local energy code in addition to Minnesota’s existing energy code. BATC does not support stretch codes and
will continue to be engaged.
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2017 National Electric Code Nears Implementation
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The Department of Labor and Industry is moving closer to the final adoption of the 2017 National Electric Code. BATC staff was present at the March 16 meeting of the Construction Codes Advisory Council and the April 11 meeting of the Board of Electricity where the respective boards discussed the 2017 update. No major changes affecting residential home construction are included in the 2017 National Electric Code.
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3 Things You Need to Know- Happy Hour for a good cause! Join other BATC members while making sandwiches for the homeless that are distributed that same night. Details here >>
- Save the Date! Our annual Mid-Year Housing Economic Summit will be July 19th. For this year's event we are partnering with our friends the Minnesota REALTORS!
- It's that time of the year again! ROMA award entries are now open. You can also check out all of our 2016 awards to plan your strategy. Details here >>
BATC News
This Week's BATC-Related Headlines
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Fire Survivor Speaks of Importance of Sprinklers
BATC offered KSTP a statement sharing our perspective on the fire sprinkler issue. Watch here >> March Home Sales in the Twin Cities Were the Best Since 2005
Inventory fell, prices rose and houses sold in near record time compared with last year. Read more >>
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Oh What a Show!More than 800 attended this year’s Builders and Remodelers Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This year’s event featured the most exhibit space since before 2011 when BATC started keeping track.
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March New MembersBATC added 13 new members in March! Eleven of our March new members are Associates and two are builders. As of March, BATC membership stands at 1,207, up 8% over March 2016. Help us welcome our March new members to the BATC family.
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Ask the Building InspectorGot building construction related questions? We have the answers! Peter Kulczyk of Green Code Knowledge, a building industry expert and frequent instructor at BATC’s Contractor University, is available to answer your questions.
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Subscribe to the Blog!Subscribe to our weekly blog updates to receive the latest articles and more right in your inbox. The blog updates are sent out every Friday!
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Happy Hour Squared with BATC Young ProfessionalsCome and network with other BATC members while making sandwiches for the homeless that are distributed that same night. Brave New Workshop Theatre, Finnegan’s and Allan Law (the sandwich guy!) from Minneapolis Recreation Development have partnered to reinvent happy hour and help serve our community. Space is limited so sign up TODAY! Questions, contact heather@batc.org
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Save the Date for the BATC Bash!Your favorite block party is just around the corner! Join us for our member appreciation party on Wednesday, June 21st from 3-6 pm at BATC. There will be giveaways, BATC Bucks and prizes, food and drinks!
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Our Inaugural Building BATC Trip!
BATC treated its best recruiters to a night out at the casino as part of the first ever Building BATC trip. Read more >>
Upcoming Calendar of BATC Events
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