TAB News Briefs

Register for the Sunbelt Builders Show for free

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Sunbelt Builders Show™ registration is free for a limited time. Sign up now and the $50 registration fee is waived. The Texas Association of Builders annual convention will be held Sept. 13-15, 2012 at the Austin Convention Center. Known for its expansive trade show, thought-provoking speakers, and stellar networking opportunities, the convention is the premier event for residential construction professionals in the Southwest.

TWIA board approves premium rate hike

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's board of directors has approved a 5 percent increase to all policyholders' premium rates that would take effect next year. But it delayed a decision on a proposal that would adjust premium rates based on the likelihood of severe storm damage in a particular area. As the state-run insurer of last resort for Texas' coastal residents, TWIA insures against catastrophic hurricane damage. But the organization went underwater after Hurricane Ike slammed into Texas in 2008.

April housing starts rise 2.6 percent from upwardly revised rate

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Nationwide housing production gained 2.6 percent from an upwardly revised pace in March to hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 units in April, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD. This modest gain was seen in both the single- and multifamily sectors, which registered growth of 2.3 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Home builders' confidence in market hits 5-year high

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

It's been five years since home builders have been this confident in the market for new single-family homes. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gained five points in May to hit 29, the index's highest level since May 2007. The index is based on a survey of home builders, who answer questions about the current market as well as sales expectations for the next six months.

Number of homes for sale nationally down 21 percent in May

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Pro Teck Valuation Services' May HomeValueForecast.com Update explores important housing indicators, such as the number of home sales and months of remaining inventory and their impact on home prices nationwide and in select markets. May's HomeValueForecast.com demonstrates that many metro areas hardest hit by price declines may be recovering due to increasing home sales and reduced inventories of homes.

American construction organizations aim to create a drug- and alcohol-free industry

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Five of the largest construction trade associations in the United States have teamed up to form the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace (CCDAFW). The coalition's mission is to create a drug- and alcohol-free construction industry by providing companies and organizations with the resources necessary to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies into their business practices.

Development trumped drilling in Flower Mound election

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Two years ago, Flower Mound Mayor Melissa Northern and council members Al Filidoro and Steve Lyda sailed to victory on an anti-gas-drilling wave and a promise to put more teeth in drilling regulations. They delivered on that promise. Flower Mound's strong oil and gas drilling ordinance is now considered a model for other communities. But on Saturday, the three — who campaigned again as the "NFL" slate, based on their last name initials — were swept out of office in a stunning reversal of their political fortunes.

Officials to detail new water quality initiative

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

The Trinity River Basin is to be included in a national water quality initiative launched to improve impaired watersheds. A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says that as home to nearly 8 million residents, the Trinity River basin is the state's most polluted river basin.

Lower Colorado River Authority looking for 10,000 acre-feet of Bastrop County groundwater

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

In an effort to boost its water supplies, the Lower Colorado River Authority will ask to use about 10,000 acre-feet of groundwater in Bastrop County, part of a 14-county area where future pumping is already under dispute. The LCRA's board of directors unanimously agreed that the staff should apply for permits from the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which currently has a moratorium on new pumping permits.

Texas judge: Coal permit won't stand up in court

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

State environmental regulators did not follow federal guidelines when they issued an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant on the Gulf Coast, and a Texas judge indicated the paperwork is too flawed for construction to begin. District Court Judge Stephen Yelenosky sent the letter in response to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups, who challenged the air permit issued for Las Brisas Energy Center last May by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

As Cisneros nears 65, book focuses on aging in place

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Next month, Henry Cisneros, the former San Antonio mayor and HUD secretary, will join one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population. He'll turn 65. How the nation will manage to absorb him and his fellow baby boomers as they get even older is at the heart of his newest book, "Independent for Life: Homes and Neighborhoods for an Aging America."

Local economic benefits of remodeling

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Home building and remodeling generate significant economic benefits. Since May is National Home Remodeling month, NAHB is taking a look at the economic benefits remodeling activity has on the community where it takes place. According to NAHB estimates, for typical remodeling projects, every $10 million of total remodeling activity in an area generates 78 local jobs, $6.9 million local wage and business income and $577,000 in taxes and fees for local governments.

Statesman seeks access to secret F1 court records

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

The Austin American-Statesman filed a plea in state District Court in Travis County seeking access to information that has been sealed in a lawsuit by the former head of the Formula One racetrack project against several track investors and officers. "We want to find out what it is about this lawsuit that has to be kept secret," said Jim George, who filed the action and represents the Statesman. "I've been doing this 20 years, and I've never seen anything like this. Secrecy from the public is never in the best interest of anybody."

Perry makes endorsements, but Straus not among them

17 May 2012 10:09:53 CDT

Gov. Rick Perry has announced a string of endorsements in the upcoming elections, from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the U.S. Senate race to various state House and Senate candidates, even a combat veteran running for Congress in Minnesota. But Perry, who touts his conservative and tea party credentials, hasn't publicly supported the current House speaker, Joe Straus, who has been criticized in some quarters for not being conservative enough.