Countrywide Loses Ruling in Loan Suit
from The New York Times
A federal judge in Manhattan has rejected an argument by Countrywide Financial seeking certain protections from investor lawsuits under new legislation intended to encourage modifications of home loans. Countrywide, the big mortgage company, had argued that the legislation automatically voided its pledges to buy back loans from investors if those loans were modified for troubled borrowers. More

Tax Return Demand Comes From Above
from The Dallas Morning News
Rick Perry is challenging Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to release her income tax returns – even taking the message to the skies. As Hutchison held a rally Tuesday evening at Eddie Deen's Ranch in downtown Dallas, a plane hired by Perry's campaign circled above, pulling a banner that read: "Kay come clean – release your taxes!" More

Shareholders of Centex Approve Sale to Pulte, Names Won't Vanish
from The Dallas Morning News
After almost 60 years in business, Dallas-based Centex Corp. shareholders voted Tuesday to sell the company to Michigan's Pulte Homes Inc. But don't expect to see the Centex name disappear. Pulte plans to keep using the Centex and Fox & Jacobs brands on projects across the country. More

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Ex-GOP Chair Says Perry Risks Losing
from The Fort Worth Star-Telegram Politex Blog
Former Texas Republican Party Chairman Fred Meyer said that he supports Kay Bailey Hutchison for governor because "I'm worried about November." Republicans risk losing the Governor's Mansion if they nominate Gov. Rick Perry, Meyer said: "He's going too far to the right to win the general election." More

Perry Says He's Not Sure Hutchison is Running, Sparking War of Words
from The Fort Worth Star-Telegram Politex Blog
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is spending the week telling supporters around the state she's running for governor but Gov. Rick Perry said he's still not convinced anyone is going to challenge him in next year's primary. More

Residential Strategies Closing Austin Office
from The Austin American-Statesman
After five years and five days on the job, Mark Sprague will go to work for the last time Friday as the Austin partner for Residential Strategies Inc., a housing industry consulting and forecasting firm. The firm is closing its Austin office. Sprague said he's a casualty of the economy and tough times in the homebuilding industry. More

Roof Falls In for a Promising Builder
from The San Antonio Express News
Not too long ago, a bright and prosperous future seemed in store for Greg Mikesell, an up-and-coming builder of expensive custom homes around San Antonio for whom clients and glowing testimonials were plentiful. But a couple of years ago, something went catastrophically wrong, and last year, Mikesell’s company, Definitive Custom Homes, folded under a wave of customer complaints, lawsuits and demands for payment from subcontractors. More

43 Percent of Texans Identify as 'Conservative'
from The Austin Business Journal
Texas' identity as a solid "red" state is unlikely to change any time soon. According to a new Gallup Poll, 43 percent of Lone Star State residents identify as "conservatives" while just 16 percent identify as "liberals." Thirty-six percent of respondents described themselves as "moderates," in the poll of more than 9,100 Texans. More

Get the latest Texas Association of Builders news as well as information affecting the building industry by visiting www.TexasBuilders.org. For information about Education, Exhibits and Special Events happening at the 2009 Sunbelt Builders Show™, visit www.SunbeltBuildersShow.com.