February 2010 Press & Charter

From Little Traverse Association of Home Builders

Renovation Classes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently enacted new regulations affecting contractors performing renovation work in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The regulation is called “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program” (RRP).

Starting in April 2010, any renovation work (including painting) which disturbs painted surfaces in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be performed by persons trained in lead-safe work practices, with specific responsibilities for a new discipline of “Certified Renovator.”

To become a Certified Renovator, a person must attend an 8-hour EPA approved training course from an accredited training provider.

Little Traverse Association of Home Builders if offering classes in February.

  • Renovate Right Class, Friday February 26, 2010, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Renovate Right Refresher, Tuesday February 16, 2010, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

For more information regarding course specifics and fees, call the office at 231-348-9770, or visit the website for an enrollment form, www.ltahb.com.

CPR & First Aid

The American Red Cross will be holding CPR and First Aid classes for the LTAHB on Saturday, January 30th. Cost is $30 and pre-registration is required. Choose from one of three sessions:

  • 9:00 am - 11:00 am, or
  • 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, or
  • 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

To register, call the American Red Cross, 231-348-7666, or LTAHB, 231-348-9770, or visit the website for details and a registration form, www.ltahb.com.

2010 Home Show

There’s still time to register to be part of the 34th Annual Home Show to be held March 13-14, at North Central Michigan College

Student & Community Resource Center, Petoskey. For more information call the office at 231-348-9770, or visit the website, www.ltahb.com.

From Michigan Association of Home Builders

We Won't Be Fooled Again

The largest tax hike in Michigan history took place in 2007, a $1.4 billion increase in government revenue. Copious promises flowed from politicians of both parties that serious spending and structural reforms would follow once the budget crisis was over. Three years later, no reforms have been passed and Michigan faces a $1.7 billion deficit for the 2011 fiscal year. Now, as then, the cry has gone out for “enhanced revenues” by “modernizing Michigan’s tax system” with some sort of unspecified reforms to follow at some unspecified time. It’s the reverse-J Wellington Wimpy approach … "I would gladly have you pay me today for a hamburger some Tuesday.” To which we reply “We’ve had all we can stand… we can’t stands no more.”

On November 9, 2009 every Michigan legislator as well as the Governor received a letter signed by over 2,000 Michigan business owners (including nearly 500 MAHB Members) congratulating them for passing a state budget balanced without tax increases, but warning them spending reforms must be the next step. One key statement in that message was as follows:

“The business community does not support discussions of overall tax restructuring confined to the goal of increasing revenue to the state so that needed structural spending reforms can be avoided. The business community insists that some movement on substantive structural spending reforms be put into place before an overall tax restructuring conversation can begin.”

Besides the MAHB, business and trade groups united in this effort include Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Lansing Regional Chamber, Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, Kalamazoo Regional Chamber, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Association of Realtors, Michigan Restaurant Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Michigan Distributors & Vendors Association, Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Grocers Association, Michigan Retailers Association, Michigan Bankers Association, Michigan Business & Professional Association and Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.

Over the next several weeks, every serving legislator will be receiving a visit from coalition members reminding them when the fiscal house of the state is in order and spending reforms are being implemented, the business community will be more than willing to participate in discussions concerning what the overall tax structure of the state should look like. Moreover, that these discussions should not be limited to a small number of groups as has happened in the past but should include the broad representation of the organizations that have been a part of efforts to guide lawmakers in balancing the budget and adopting spending reform.
For more details about the coalition and MAHB’s work on this, visit https://mahb-mi.builderfusion.com/bf/messaging/EdBoardDocument011510.pdf .



Newsletters

Petoskey
Building & Design Center

900 Spring Street

Petoskey, MI 49770

231-347-2501 · 800-968-2501

Harbor Springs
Building & Design Center

8600 Moeller Drive

Harbor Springs, MI 49740

231-348-2990 · 800-968-2990

Gaylord
Building & Design Center

3689 Old 27 South

Gaylord, MI 49735

989-732-8862 · 888-732-8862

Preston Feather
Building Centers

777 US 31 South - near Chum's Corners

Traverse City, MI 49685

231-943-1180

We will be known as a business whose entire staff will always make the effort required to meet and at every opportunity, to exceed our customers expectations in a cheerful and efficient manner.