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10.23.08
NAR, MAYORS RECOGNIZE ALLENTOWN, PA., FOR HELPING HOMETOWN HEROES BECOME HOMEOWNERS
The National Association of Realtors® and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have named Allentown, Pa., an Ambassador City for its Hometown Heroes program, which creates homeownership opportunities for the city’s police officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel.
The Hometown Heroes program was created through a partnership between the Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors® and the city of Allentown. When fully up and running by spring of 2009, the program will provide need-based financial assistance and home buyer education to Allentown’s public safety work force to help them purchase a principal residence within the city.
The goal of the Hometown Heroes program is to help attract and retain moderate-income police, fire, and EMS personnel and increase the number of those who actually live in Allentown – currently only one-fourth of the city’s police force resides within the city. The broader goal of the program is to help increase Allentown’s homeownership rate, which is slightly higher than 50 percent. Through the Hometown Heroes program, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who qualify would be eligible for mortgage-interest or mortgage insurance buy-downs.
At an event today, Realtor® Bonnie Boyd, 2008 chair of the NAR Housing Opportunity Advisory Board, joined Dustin Joyce, Council for the New American City, in presenting the Ambassador for Cities plaque to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and LVAR President Mark Molchany.
Shown above from left to right: Dustin Joyce, US Conference of Mayors; Bonnie Boyd, NAR Housing Opportunity Advisory Board Chair; Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, LVAR president Mark Molchany; Allentown Police Chief Roger Maclean; Allentown Fire Chief Bob Scheirer
NAR and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, through its Council on the New American City, launched the Ambassadors for Cities program in 2003 to encourage cities and local Realtor® associations to form partnerships to promote affordable housing and homeownership.
10.18.08
Rendell vetoes “spot” reassessment bill, again
Yesterday, Governor Ed Rendell vetoed SB 1258, which would have protected property owners from the unfair and controversial tactic carried out by school districts known as “spot” reassessments. The Governor vetoed similar legislation in July. In his veto message, the Governor claims that if signed into law, this legislation would “drive up property taxes for those least able to afford it.” Realtors disagree, and believe the legislation would have stopped this unfair practice, and protected thousands of unsuspecting property owners from dramatic tax increases.
A total of more than 3,600 letters were sent by Realtors across the Commonwealth to the governor as a result of a Call to Action on the issue. Over 315 of the letters came from LVAR members. A special thanks to those of you who took the time to respond. Additionally, a letter to the editor on the issue written by LVAR President Mark Molchany appeared in the Express Times on Saturday.
Despite our efforts to protect property owners, the Governor did not sign the bill into law. Now, it is back to the drawing boards as we look to revisit the issue during the next legislative session in January
10.3.08
EASTON MAYOR SAL PANTO MEETS WITH LVAR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Shown above (from left to right): Frank Renaldi Jr., GAC Vice-Chair; Easton Mayor Sal Panto
The LVAR Government Affairs Committee (GAC) continues to maintain strong relationships with elected officials across the Lehigh Valley. This month’s GAC Roundtable Series featured Easton Mayor Sal Panto (D).
Mayor Sal Panto gave the GAC first-hand insight into the ongoing economic development and revitalization efforts in Easton. He stressed that his “clean and safe” initiative is working to make the City a better place to live and work. Mayor Panto also shared a sneak peak of his proposed 2009 budget, which includes some tax increase that he begrudgingly has to put forward. One thing the Mayor strenuously committed to was not increasing the realty transfer tax. In fact, he told the GAC that he would go to battle with City Council if they try to increase it.
The Roundtable Series serve as a forum for elected officials to share with our members’ first-hand information on ongoing economic development and revitalization projects, local politics, and other real estate related matters. The meetings also serve as an opportunity for REALTORS® to show elected officials that we are organized and interested in the being a part of the public policy making process.
10.3.08
LVAR Supports Regional Rail Study
The Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS® (LVAR) Board of Directors has adopted a policy statement in support of the proposed study of regional rail for the Lehigh Valley, which will examine the need for extending rail service to the Lehigh Valley from New Jersey. The LVAR Government Affairs Committee examined the issue closely over the last two months, and drafted a policy statement which was subsequently affirmed unanimously by the Board of Directors this week. A copy of the policy statement has been forwarded to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners and Northampton County Council, who are expected to consider partial funding of the study.
Ultimately, LVAR believes that an expansive rail network serving the Lehigh Valley, eastern Pennsylvania, and surrounding regions will:
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Increase both residential and commercial property values in the region;
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Positively impact economic development and improve the competitive advantage of the Lehigh Valley;
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Increase the mobility and accessibility of the region's workforce, thereby attracting and retaining skilled workers and employers;
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Enhance the revitalization of the urban cores in the Lehigh Valley;
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Alleviate congestion on our roadways by providing increased transportation choices and preserving a high quality of life; and
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Reduce energy consumption and provide environmental benefits.
Learn more:
9.29.08
Updates on Federal Government Actions In Response to the Credit Crisis
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is closely monitoring the Federal Government response to the continuing credit crisis. Our Washington D.C. Policy staff is working with regulatory agencies and elected officials on Capitol Hill to assure a robust secondary mortgage market. Liquidity in the mortgage market is essential to the health of the economy. Read more here:
Rescue Bill Summary - What is at Stake for REALTORS®
Credit Crisis webpage on REALTOR.org |