News Summary

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signs eminent domain reform into law giving property owners a greater edge in negotiations. HB 417 requires an agency seeking property through eminent domain must make the owner a final written offer before beginning condemnation action. The offer must be included in the legal proceedings initiating court
posted 5/3/13 10:04 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   A Nebraska Federal District Court Judge determines all university-owned student housing is subject to the Fair Housing Act. In United States of America v. University of Nebraska at Kearney, a student sued to challenge the school’s ban on her service dog, contending the dog did not meet the Americans with
posted 4/26/13 09:19 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Despite the ongoing housing recovery and gains in construction jobs, Freddie Mac’s April housing market outlook say the nation’s 7.6% unemployment rate is preventing robust economic growth. With housing starts up 47% from March 2012 to March 2013, passing the 1 million unit mark for the first time in five years, the
posted 4/19/13 09:25 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Will The FHA Need A Bailout? The question on the minds of the housing and mortgage finance industries takes a turn with an Office of Management & Budget hunch built into the FY 2014 budget blueprint suggesting the Federal Housing Administration will need a taxpayer bailout. The OMB supposition arises from a 2012 audit showing the FHA mortgage
posted 4/12/13 09:43 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) submits the proposed Project Rebuild Act, HR 1397, to help fuel relief for neighborhoods blighted by foreclosures and abandoned properties. The $15 billion request is a slice of President Barack Obama’s 2001 American Jobs Act proposal. While the idea fizzled in Congress, Waters intends
posted 4/5/13 09:39 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Low-income housing advocates under the umbrella of the United for Homes campaign set the stage for an intensive effort to pass HR 1213, the Common Sense Housing Investment Act proposed by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN). The bill would lower the cap on the mortgage amount allowed for income tax deduction from
posted 3/29/13 09:49 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Embattled Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Edward DeMarco tells the House Financial Services Committee Congress must reduce or eliminate the government’s near total support of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to open the door for private capital. Barring any action by Congress, DeMarco says he continues the move
posted 3/22/13 10:03 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   A bipartisan group of senators offer legislation to curb using fees collected by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to pay for general government activities. The move by the four heavy-hitters -- Sens. Bob Corker (R-TN), David Vitter (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) -- would prevent the “guarantee fee” collected by the
posted 3/15/13 09:52 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   Lawmakers again seek to make the Environmental Protection Agency’s lead paint rule less burdensome on homeowners who don’t have children or pregnant women on the premises. The proposed Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act, crafted by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) with six co-sponsors, would restore the opt-out
posted 3/8/13 09:55 AM  read complete story

News Capsules From Coast To Coast
   The House Appropriations Committee will consider a continuing resolution to fund the government through FY 2013. If adopted, it would avert a government shutdown when the current stopgap spending law expires March27. HUD spending would continue at FY 2012 levels minus the money removed to pay the national debt. The only extra money
posted 3/1/13 10:19 AM  read complete story