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Session Week 8: February State Budget Forecast Shows Slight Improvement
The state’s budget forecast released last week showed a $463 million decrease in the budget shortfall, leaving legislators with a $1.5 billion shortfall to address in this budget. The release of the February forecast will pivot the budget discussions from largely ceremonial to serious policy discussions from now until May. Governor Dayton plans to release a revised budget proposal on March 11th and the committees will be given budget targets to complete by the end March.
Major opposition to the business-to-business sales tax on services remains strong from BATC and nearly all other business groups. While many Capitol insiders believe that the B2B sales tax expansion is living on borrowed time, it remains unclear how the Governor’s budget plan would move forward without this revenue. The Governor’s release of the revised budget next week will be watched closely.
Policy Deadlines Approach
With deadlines for policy bills to clear the committee process looming over the next two weeks, the pace and number of bills scheduled for hearings has picked up considerably. BATC is following several bills closely:
HF 745 – Would establish new authority for local governments to impose a street utility fee on property owners. The proposed authority would allow local governments to create districts within their municipal boundaries. BATC is part of a large coalition of business groups opposed to this measure.
HF 816 – Proposes Janet’s Law, which would require Radon testing for residential dwellings at the point of sale. BATC is monitoring the legislation.
New Park Fee Authority Initiative Update
Legislation which would grant local governments new authority to require a park facilities fee from property owners was removed from the House Government Operations Committee’s schedule last week. The bill, which was to be heard on Wednesday, has been met with skepticism among several business groups. As written, the bill would allow for a park facilities fee to be charged in addition to the park dedication fee paid in the development process. The bill has not been re-scheduled for a hearing at this point.
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We Need to Know Where You Live
As a regular reader of our enewsletter, The Voice, you know that BATC is working diligently on half a dozen key legislative issues ranging from the home indoor sprinkler system mandate to street improvement districts, from mandatory radon testing to contractor indemnification. We’re reaching that point in the session where we may need you to contact your state Senator and Representative on behalf of the home building industry. Your voice as a constituent is the most powerful tool we have – and we need your help. We need to know your home address and the home address of the members of your team so we can power up our grassroots lobbying effort when the moment is right.
Please go to our Voter Voice site by clicking here right now and entering your home address. No need to send a message yet – but you’ll be in the system and prepared when the time is right. This is vitally important – don’t delay. Take just a few minutes to complete the task now and forward the link to the rest of your team so they, too, can become part of our grassroots action team!
Again, please provide your home address on BATC's Voter Voice!
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Re-Build Happy Hour Has Been Postponed
The NEW DATE of our Re-Build Happy Hour event is April 9th. Put this date on your calendar, and get registered today.
You don't want to miss this event, hosted by BATC's Young Professionals Committee and the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors' (MAAR) YoPro Group. Both industries are joining forces to discuss the current marketplace and a panel of experts will address what both groups can expect to see in 2013.
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Our Hottest Issue Yet...
“The surge in demand for new homes this January is an excellent sign that the housing recovery is gaining steam and helping put more people back to work.” - Rick Judson, chairman of NAHB
"Today’s report shows a strong revival in new-home sales across all regions of the country and bodes well for the upcoming spring buying season.” - David Crowe, NAHB Chief Economist
Download the February Hot Sheet >>
Contact James Vagle with questions >>
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Home + Garden Show = 3K
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We distributed over 3,000 Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase Guidebooks at the Home + Garden Show this weekend. Thank you to all of our volunteers for passing out books at our booth!
As a part of the fun, three lucky winners were drawn from our Parade of Homes iPad sweepstakes. One of our winners was new to the Parade of Homes tour, but enjoyed a full day of touring this weekend. He is in the market to move and scheduled a follow-up appointment with one of our builders on the Spring Tour after touring his model.
The WCCO Centsible Energy Hour interviewed BATC Executive Officer David Siegel at the Home + Garden Show this year to discuss the MN Green Path program. Over 140 homes on the Spring Tour are on the MN Green Path.
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Only Two Days Left ... to Get Your 14 CE Credits
Now is the time! There are only two more BATC-University course days left to secure your 14 continuing education credits. Sign up for courses on Wednesday and Thursday of this week:
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Skilled Labor is Needed; Job Fairs are Growing
Marv McDaris, Pulte Homes, and John Zirbes, Lyman Lumber, were interviewed by KARE 11 News this weekend to talk about the growing need for skilled labor in the Twin Cities housing industry, whilie Jon Coty, Lampert Lumber, was in studio to answer Facebook questions. Read the story in our Member News section below.
As more workers are needed, students are reaping the benefits. "Last week we met with the Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps. They have a program for carpentry and we will hire every person they put through that program right now," said Zirbes. "It's a great problem to have but it's also very stressful because the demand has picked up immensely," Zirbes said in the interview.
Upcoming Student Job Fairs:
April 25: Dunwoody All-College Job Fair
September 13: Dunwoody All-College Job Fair
October 4: University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Career Fair
October 8-9: UW Stout Career Conference
February 4, 2014: Dunwoody Construction Expo
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Members in the News
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RCA Builders, erstarnews.com: Builder, Real Estate Agent See New Home Sales Regaining Strength [read article].
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Marv McDaris, Pulte Homes; John Zirbes, Lyman Lumber; Jon Coty, Lamperts Lumber: KARE 11: Now Hiring: Home Builders, Contractors Seek Skilled Workers [watch video].
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