2010 Promises To Be A Busy Year for Industry Advocacy

At the HBA's recent Government Affairs meeting, Chair Matt Bailey and President Rusty MacLachlan discussed their recent meeting with the Division of Workers' Compensation and outlined potential next steps including updating additional members of our legislative delegation regarding this issue and possibly planning a follow up meeting with the Division when our group is in Jefferson City for the 2010 Legislative Day.

Legislative Day plans were also discussed by the committee. Builder/Remodeler members will be invited to attend the event at no cost, traveling up to the Capitol by bus and visiting with our area's elected officials about important issues affecting the industry, as well as meeting with key legislative leaders and committee chairs. The date for this event should be announced in the near future and sponsorship opportunities will be available to HBA members.

Some of the issues potentially affecting the industry next year include a push from some groups to pass a statewide energy code for residential building. The Missouri Association of REALTORS® is leading an effort to place a state constitutional amendment on the November 2010 ballot. The amendment would bar imposition of any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate. Each year there are always a number of proposals during the legislative session to impose such double taxation on real estate. For more information about this initiative, visit www.YesToSaveHomes.com.