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Week of May 26, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* June Is National Homeownership Month

Housing and Economics

* Reports Show Positive Local Economic Impact of Housing
* Spotline on: Dallas
* Eye on the Economy

Housing Politics

* Sen. Graham Offers Support for Homeownership Tax Credit
* Bill Addresses Reducing Wildfires in National Forests

State and Local

* Construction Defect Laws Help Restore Liability Insurance
* Builders Watching How States Remedy Budget Deficits
* Arizona Workers Feel Housing Affordability Squeeze
* Report Tackles Misperceptions About Housing and Growth

Building Quality

* Housing Quality Awards Accepting Remodeler Entries

Legal Issues

* NAHB Litigators Support Property Owner Rights
* NAHB Works to Open Federal Courts for Land Use Cases

Codes and Standards

* Home Ventilation Committee Seeks New Members
* ICC Approves Low-Cost Foundations for Remodelers and Builders

Member Dividends

* NAHB Helps Oklahoma Builders Advance Impact Fee Alternatives

Seniors Housing

* Center Provides Information on Housing for Seniors
* NAHB Supports Voluntary ‘Visitability’
* Four Named 2003 Icons of the Seniors Housing Industry

Business Management

* Don't Put the CAD Before Your Product

Sales and Marketing

* Ask a MIRM About Standard and Upgraded Features and Finishes

Multifamily

* Rep. Johnson Honored for Commitment to Affordable Housing

Labor

* Nashville Looks to Training for Safer Communities

Building Products

* New York Requires More Wind-Resistant Windows

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Four New Members Inducted Into National Housing Hall of Fame
* HomeAid Assisting Homeless Veterans

NBN Back Issues

 

Builders Watching How States Remedy Budget Deficits

With new residential construction always a tempting target for states and municipalities that are trying to find new revenue to balance their budgets, many home builders associations are watching their state legislatures especially closely this year as massive budget deficits are piling up in states across the country.

Budget figures released recently by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) show a grim fiscal picture, with state deficits projected at nearly $95.2 billion for 2004 and the remainder of 2003.

Several states have already enacted, or are considering, a variety of tax increases. Others are pursuing major spending cuts, many of which can have an impact on public infrastructure.


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Also, proposals to increase or cut property taxes continue to come up frequently before state legislatures. These decisions can have a major impact on impact fees and other assessments on new housing.

“One must wonder when state budgets will begin to see the light of day,” said Michael Flynn, director of policy and legislation for ALEC, the nation’s largest bipartisan organization of legislators.

“States continue to address deficits with a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and the use of one-time funds,” Flynn said. “But they’re using duct tape instead of fixing the plumbing.”

ALEC has identified the 10 states with the biggest deficits as of April:

  • California, $31.4 billion
  • New York, 11.5 billion
  • New Jersey, $5.2 billion
  • Texas, $4.95 billion
  • Illinois, $4.8 billion
  • Massachusetts, $3.2 billion
  • Florida, $3 billion
  • Pennsylvania, $2.4 billion
  • Minnesota, $2.1 billion
  • Maryland, $2 billion

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