A Golden man’s attempt to cap new growth along the Front Range is one example of why Amendment 71, which makes it harder to change the constitution, is a good idea. Daniel Hayes, who authored a similar measure in Golden years ago, has submitted an initiative for the 2018 ballot. His proposed constitutional amendment would,Continue reading “Colorado: Initiative Would Cap Front Range Growth”
Tag Archives: President Obama
Nation: Senate Passes Important Housing Bill
On July 14 the US Senate passed HR 3700, the “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act,” by unanimous consent. The legislation is expected to be signed by President Obama. The bill was the subject of a recent Call for Action by NAR. Passage of HR 3700 will ease FHA condo rules, make transfer fee rules consistentContinue reading “Nation: Senate Passes Important Housing Bill”
Nation: HUD Secretary on Speaks to Realtors
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Julian Castro, was a key note speaker at NAR’s Legislative meetings last week in Washington, DC. Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, was optimistic. He noted HUD’s condo rule was “out of the door.” He said President Obama’s economic agenda is helping the middle class andContinue reading “Nation: HUD Secretary on Speaks to Realtors”
Highway Funding Gets Short Extension
On May 29 President Obama signed a two-month extension of highway funding into law. The measure, dubbed the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, extends the Highway User Trust Fund (gas tax) through the end of July. White House press secretary Josh Earnest criticized the short-term funding measure as lawmakers punting on the issue, encouraging CongressContinue reading “Highway Funding Gets Short Extension”
President Issues Order on Flood Risk Standards
President Obama issued Executive Order 13690, “The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard” (FFRMS) at the end of January. The new federal flood risk standard requires all future federal investments in and affecting floodplains to meet the level of resilience as established by the Standard. The Standard was issued to further the Climate Action Plan; floodContinue reading “President Issues Order on Flood Risk Standards”
$94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for Transportation
President Obama’s latest budget proposal would make critical investments in infrastructure to promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety and efficiency. Secretary of Transportation Foxx lobbied recently for the President, saying “Our budget proposal lays the foundation for a future where our transportation infrastructure meets the demands of a growing population and an economy that depends onContinue reading “$94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for Transportation”
FHA Announces Reduction in Mortgage Insurance Premiums
In January President Obama announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would reduce FHA annual mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) by 50 basis points. This reduction is a victory for the National Association of REALTORS whose members have called for lower fees on FHA loans since early 2014. NAR raised concerns about the costly premiums toContinue reading “FHA Announces Reduction in Mortgage Insurance Premiums”
Poll Shows Public Supports Highway Tolls
Seventy-nine percent of U.S. residents would support increasing the use of tolls on the nation’s roads to help for new transportation projects, according to a poll Thursday by an infrastructure group. The survey, which was conducted by HNTB Corp., found 79 percent of U.S. residents “would support the addition of a toll on a non-tolledContinue reading “Poll Shows Public Supports Highway Tolls”
President Signs Flood Insurance Bill
On Friday, March 21 President Obama signed the “Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act” into law. This law repeals FEMA’s authority to increase premium rates at time of sale or new flood map, and refunds the excessive premium to those who bought a property before FEMA warned them of the rate increase. The bill makes theContinue reading “President Signs Flood Insurance Bill”
Housing Mentioned in President’s Speech
President Barack Obama, in his fifth state of the union speech, touted the “rebounding housing market” as one of the measures of the strengthening economy and asked Congress to reform the mortgage finance system in such a way that would keep home ownership within reach of households without risking another taxpayer-funded mortgage finance crisis. Note:Continue reading “Housing Mentioned in President’s Speech”
IRES MLS: Come Home to Colorado 