Photo: Cemex

Efforts to Alleviate Cement Shortages Continuing

With the housing boom showing no signs of abating, builders in several markets are reporting tight supplies of cement. To help meet the growing demand, which is pushing up prices and delaying construction projects across the country, NAHB continues to work with top Administration officials and members of Congress to urge domestic producers to drop their objections to rescinding costly duties on Mexican imports.

Discussing the matter with Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez this spring, NAHB Executive Vice President and CEO Jerry Howard pressed for a favorable resolution to the issue. Gutierrez acknowledged the problem and pledged to look into the matter. ...

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Next Week

Nation's Building News will not be published on July 18. It will return to its regular weekly schedule with the July 25 issue. 

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There have been four winners already — the most recent winner is Bill O'Connor, of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Sioux Falls, S.D. — and you could be next.

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Building Site Theft Penalty Stiffened in North Carolina

A bill imposing stiffer penalties for thefts from construction sites has been passed by the General Assembly of North Carolina as the result of an intensive grassroots lobbying campaign by the members of the North Carolina Home Builders Association.

Introduced by Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) at the request of the builders association, S. 532, the “Construction Site Theft/Aggregate Penalty” act would make the theft of materials or equipment with a value of $300-$1,000 from a construction site a Class I felony.

The legislation passed the House on July 6 by a nearly unanimous vote of 115 to 1. ...