NYSBA and REF Weekly Newsletter
June 12, 2009
Legislative Update
Skelos Becomes Majority Leader as State
Senate Closes Down
Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) became the new
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate on Tuesday and Pedro Espada
(D-Bronx) become President pro tem in a dramatic turn of events at the
State Capitol. Skelos will lead a "bi-partisan coalition" as the new
Senate Majority, which will consist of Republicans and Democrats. Two
Democratic Senators (Espada and Hiram Monserrate) chose to conference
with the Senate Republicans (but remain Democrats), thus giving the
Republicans the necessary 32 votes to nominate Skelos as the new
Majority Leader. It is reported that this deal has been in the works for
some time.
Monday’s events have put everything in Albany on hold at the moment as
the Democratic Minority immediately locked the doors of the Senate
Chambers for two days and there was a brief session on Thursday (though
nobody from the Minority attended). It is assumed that session will
resume in one form or another next week.
We are pretty confident that the "citizen suit"
bill is dead, and that our permit extension bill will still be
introduced, but everything else is up in the air. At the time of the
"coup", Phil was actually on his way to meet with the Senate Majority
Counsel to get the New York State Home Buyer Tax Credit bill placed on
the Senate Finance agenda this week. Needless to say, that meeting was
canceled.
NYSBA is confident that we can work with whoever is in charge of the
State Senate, and now is best time to have experienced lobbyists like
Phil and Bill Crowell working for you.
We will keep everyone updated as things move forward.
There was action on one bill of interest to
NYSBA members this week:
A.3353
(Bradley): The Vested Right bill passed out of the Codes committee
on Tuesday and now goes to the Rules Committee (the final step before
going on to the Assembly Calendar). This bill protects and promotes
legitimate development while providing certainty for investment. This
legislation would establish that municipal action including planning and
zoning which applies to a particular parcel of land as of the date of
filing of a development plan shall remain applicable to the proposed
project for not less than 6 years after filing. NYSBA supports this
bill.
All NYSBA Legislative Memos Now Available
on Website
Every memo for all of the bills on NYSBA’s
Legislative Agenda is now available at our newly redesigned website. Go
to the
Government and Regulatory Affairs section to get up-to-date status
on each bill and download any memo by clicking on the bill title.
Update on Land Master v. Town of
Montgomery
On January 25, 2009, The Town of Montgomery issued
a check for $561,798.98 for legal fees in the Land Master zoning case.
NYSBA believes that this is a landmark precedent that will impact how
other towns plan for affordable housing. We also believe that this is a
strong warning to all local governments’ intent on stonewalling builders
and the multifamily and affordable housing market. If they are insistent
upon going forward with these zoning laws, they do so at their own
peril.
NYSBA will have a legal briefing available to all
members on our website next week. If you have any questions please
contact
Lew Dubuque
Stormwater Permits Review
NYSBA has been invited to review the draft revised
Stormwater Design Manual chapters and Construction Stormwater and MS4
permits. The documents are available for download
here.
These rough drafts are the starting points for
revisions that will be made available for public review in the next five
months.
If you plan to submit written comments on any of
the documents, we ask that they are sent to
Lew Dubuque by:
- June 26 for the Construction Stormwater Permit
- July 17 for the MS4 permits.
Builder Survey Sent on Thursday
NYSBA is collaborating with the New York State
Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and the New York State Department of State
(NYDOS) to conduct a brief statewide survey of our builders and
developers. The purpose of the survey is to collect information on
specific impediments and challenges that developers and builders
experience when engaging in their professional work across the state.
This is a chance for our members to tell New York
State the challenges and barriers that exist that inhibit or prevent
implementation of successful or innovative models and strategies related
to housing, planning, and zoning.
Survey findings will be used by an Advisory
Committee that is being established under a new statewide Housing,
Planning, and Zoning Initiative. The Advisory Committee's
responsibility is to develop recommendations that will facilitate the
development, building, planning, and zoning process.
If you did not receive the survey through your
email, please contact
Lew Dubuque
NAHB is looking for members to serve
on Committees and Councils for 2010
Interested?
Contact
Phil LaRocque
Deadline is October 11, 2009
Online Stormwater
Training Now Available
NYSBA Stormwater Training Website
The New York State Builders Association’s
online Stormwater Training is now available. We offer fee-based video
training that brings participants into compliance with the State
Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES), Construction Activity
General Permit #GP-0-08-001.
NYSBA’s online Stormwater Training is taught
by John E. Folchetti, CEO, P.E., of J. Robert Folchetti and Associates,
Stormwater Trainer SWT #0045-T. This online course provides NYSDEC
4-hour training in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment
control (ESC) and satisfies the State Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (SPDES), Construction Activity General Permit #GP-0-08-001.
NYSBA members can begin registering for the
online course now for $199, the rate for non-members is $299. For more
information contact Lew Dubuque at
lewisd@nysba.com or (518) 465-2492. [click
here to register]
Two NYSBA members have already taken the
course and received their Stormwater Training ID numbers.
MEMBERSHIP
… a
unified voice …
Your
Home Builder Association Memberships provides you with a unified voice
to promote and protect the industry.
“The
strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Membership makes your voice a powerful instrument of change at the
local, state and national levels.
As
"the
voice of the housing industry,"
the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the New York State
Builders Association (NYSBA) and your local Home Builders Association
fight for your interests. Your associations have strength in numbers to
defeat excessive regulations and needless red tape and defend affordable
housing initiatives – on Capitol Hill, in Albany and in your communities
where you do business.
Your
associations (NAHB, NYSBA and HBA) bring a broad range of experiences,
relations, technical knowledge and common sense to this crucial effort.
The
Associations’ lobbyists, economists, public affairs professional, land
use experts, attorneys, and construction and code specialists work
together to promote a pro-housing agenda before the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches of government and building code
organizations.
Many
issues affecting the industry are decided in courtrooms in Washington
and around New York State. One of the most important advocacy tools for
members is BUILD-PAC. Among the largest and most respected political
action committees in Washington and Albany, it provides financial
backing to candidates for the United States House of Representatives and
Senate who support the housing Industry.
ENDORSED PROGRAMS
Featured NYSBA Endorsed
Program of the Week
Long
Term Care
We
understand that financial security is a priority for you and your
family. Your medical and disability insurance are excellent examples of
ways to protect your family today and into the future as well. However,
these types of insurance do not cover the cost of Long Term Care
services. Without Long-Term Care Insurance, your current savings
and retirement plan could be at risk. As a NYSBA member, you are
eligible for a Multi-Life discount on Long-Term Care Insurance.
Economic Planning Group and its
team is ready to help you today!
Health
Insurance
NYSBA
offers its members a variety of health plan coverage, including
HMO and PPO. NYSBA’s insurance plans, managed by
Economic Planning Group, offer you
your choice of coverage along with unique tax saving and added health
related financial management services. Economic Planning Group gives our
members one-on-one attention as their team strategically designs plans
to meet your needs.
Please
email
LBrown@nysba.com with completed checklist along with your phone
number for a follow-up call.
For questions on NYSBA
Endorsed Programs, please call Leigh Brown at 518-465-2492, ext 121.
Long
Term Care
Health
Insurance
Workers’ Comp Safety Group
Home
Buyer Warranty
Remodeler Warranty
Builders Risk
Payroll
NYSBA Member Rebate:
Builder, Remodeler and Associate Rebates
Safety First
The NYSBA Workers Comp Safety Group’s Safety and Loss Control Committee
has the following announcements:
RMPG is currently calling and scheduling safety group member companies
to schedule site visits to check for any safety issues to help our
member companies have safe work sites for their employees. If RMPG calls
you, please be sure to get back to RMPG promptly to schedule your site
visit.
All questions and comments can be sent to Leigh Brown at
LBrown@nysba.com.
NYSBA REF
Regional Education Conferences
Call for sponsorships and product
Demonstrations
Lead the way to success - support the regional
education conferences
- Sponsorships starting at $400 are now
available.
- Your support will underwrite quality education
programming and demonstrate a commitment to education excellence.
- Program Book Advertising is an affordable way to
keep your company’s message in the forefront.
- We’ll work with you to give your company the
highest visibility.
Interested in demonstrating your product?
Product demonstrations are being scheduled to
showcase the industry’s newest products. This is a great opportunity to
showcase your product to this exclusive audience.
Go to
www.nysba.com, click on the REF Ed Conf tab to
check out all the available opportunities in the Conference Marketing
Kit.
Questions? Contact Mike Cocca at (518) 465-2492
x126 or via email at
mikec@nysba.com.
Dates and Locations:
- Tuesday, October 27 – Wednesday, October 28,
2009
Holiday Inn Liverpool
- Tuesday, November 10 – Wednesday, November 11,
2009
DoubleTree Hotel
Tarrytown
Conference Sponsors
LIPA-Gold Level Sponsor (Tarrytown)
Benchmark Title Agency LLC-Meeting Refreshments
(Tarrytown)
2-10 Home Buyer Warranty-Conference Badges
(Tarrytown)
“Ask the Experts”
Program
NYSBA is again partnering with the
Consumer Protection Board on an “Ask the Experts” program for their
website. NYSBA is looking for “experts” in all areas of construction
and the home building and remodeling industry to create a panel for this
program. This is a great way to enhance the image of our association
and provides an excellent service to the general public. You can view
the website at
http://www.nysconsumer.gov/ask_the_expert.htm.
Thank you to all current volunteers! Contact Kelly Post at
kpost@nysba.com if you
would like to volunteer.
NYSBA REF Education and
Training
NAHB and AIA Partnership on Continuing
Education*
NAHB is a Registered Provider for the American
Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Green
Building for Building Professionals and Business Management for Building
Professionals have been approved for continuing education for AIA
members.
·
Green Building for Building Professionals has been
approved for 12 course credits in the Sustainable Design (SD) and
Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) categories.
·
Business Management for Building Professionals has
been approved for 6 Course Credits.
These courses are scheduled for the following dates
and locations:
Green Building for Building Professionals
-June 22 & 23; Buffalo
-September 14 & 15; Queens
-October 20 & 21; Hudson Valley
Business Management for Building Professionals
-July 9; Binghamton
-September 17; Queensbury
-November 10; Tarrytown
*This information was
incorrect in last week’s newsletter. Please contact Kelly Post at
518-465-2492*110 if you have any questions.
Registration
deadlines are fast approaching for the following classes:
Green Building for Building Professionals in
Buffalo – Deadline: June 15
Green Building for Building
Professionals
Learn how green homes provide buyers with lower
energy costs and higher value. This 2-day course for building
professionals discusses strategies for incorporating green-building
principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction. You
will learn how green homes provide buyers lower maintenance, better
indoor air quality, and better long-term value. Techniques are also
discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with
increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource
efficiency.
June 22
& 23 – Buffalo Register
here
September 14 & 15 – Queens* Register
here
October
20 & 21 – New Windsor* Register
here
*Just Announced! Be the first person to register
for September 14 & 15 or October 20 & 21 (by completing the registration
form and sending it to NYSBA REF with payment) and receive free
attendance to Business Management for Building Professionals on
November 10 in Tarrytown, NY to complete your CGP designation!
Register Today! Seats fill quickly.
For more information on any of these classes, contact Kelly Post at
518-465-2492*110 or
kpost@nysba.com.
energy star® Partners
receive discount!
NYSERDA offers
partial tuition incentives to students who complete Green Building for
Building Professionals. In order for the student to receive this
reimbursement, they must complete the program and be:
Energy Star® builders,
Home Performance Contractors or HERS Raters.
Students will
receive and complete the incentive form at the end of class; tuition
will be reimbursed through NYSERDA when all appropriate paperwork is
received and processed. Call NYSBA REF at 518-465-2492*110 for more
information.
Business Management for Building Professionals*
July
9, 2009
Binghamton, NY
Do you
need to complete your CAPS or CGP designation?
Are
you working towards your CGB or CGR?
Business Management is the class you need!
Course Location:
Broome-Tioga BOCES, 435 Glenwood Rd, Binghamton, NY 13905
Time:
Registration: 8:30 AM; Session: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration Fees:
$240 Member; $300 Non-member
Registration fee
includes materials and lunch.
To Register:
Click on the following link and fax a registration form to 518-465-0635.
http://www.nysba.comBusinessManagement.pdf
Call NYSBA REF at 518-465-2492*110 for more information.
Deadline:
July 2
Business Management
Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This
course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices
so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing,
staffing/directing and controlling. By using case studies and sample
forms, your instructors give you practical and applicable tools for
management success.
*ENERGY STAR program
partners receive discount: Get a 50% tuition reimbursement, (up to
$120) if you are an Energy Star builder, Home Performance contractor or
HERS rater.
2009 NYSBA REF Education
Schedule
Thanks to all partnering
local HBAs!
|
UPCOMING COURSES for
2009 |
|
Course |
Date |
Location |
|
Green Building |
June 22 & 23 |
Buffalo |
|
Business Management |
July 9 |
Binghamton |
|
Green Building |
September 14 & 15 |
Queens |
|
Business Management |
September 17 |
Queensbury |
|
Sales & Marketing for Remodelers |
September 24 |
Binghamton |
|
PREP/BAR |
October 7 |
New
Windsor |
|
Business Accounting & Job Cost |
October 7 |
Binghamton |
|
Green Building |
October 20 & 21 |
New
Windsor |
|
Green Building Verifier Training |
October 22 |
New
Windsor |
|
Project Management |
October 22 |
Binghamton |
|
PREP/BAR |
October 27 |
Liverpool |
|
Basics of Building |
October 27 |
Liverpool |
|
CAPS I |
October 27 |
Liverpool |
|
CAPS II |
October 28 |
Liverpool |
For more information on
any of these classes, contact Kelly Post at 518-465-2492*110 or
kpost@nysba.com.
BECOME AN ENERGY STAR!!
Don’t
miss out on this opportunity to learn about the
New
York ENERGY STAR® Homes Program or the
Home
Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program
WHAT:
Become an Energy Star!!
WHEN:
July 15, 2009
2:00pm – 5:00pm
WHERE:
Mullins Catering
1180 US Highway 11
Gouverneur, NY 13642
Hosted by NYSBA Research & Education Foundation
Become an Energy Star!!
presentation features knowledgeable professionals meeting with local
builders to discuss:
Ø
How
to become an ENERGY STAR® Builder
Ø
Simple ways to earn incentives
Ø
The
future of the building industry
Ø
The
advantages of building ENERGY STAR® Homes
For
more information or to download a registration form,
visit
Become an Energy Star!!
BUILDING TRADE
PROFESSIONALS:
Grow your business by
learning to
DO ENERGY AUDITS!
FREE NYSERDA
INFORMATION WORKSHOP
Tuesday, June 23rd,
2009
6:30-8:30pm
Greenburgh Public Library
300 Tarrytown Rd, Elmsford,
NY 10523
-Learn about Home Performance with ENERGY
STAR, sponsored by NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority), and the specific skills you will acquire as a
Home Performance Contractor certified by the Building Performance
Institute (BPI).
-You will build your business through new
customer referrals and through NYSERDA, by providing customers with
access to low cost financing and rebates up to 25%.
-Find out how to adapt your business to
tap the growing market for energy-efficiency services and significantly
reduce your customers’ energy costs.
Presentation followed
by Q&A session with:
-Matt Slattery, Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR contractor (BPI accredited)
-Elyssa Rothe, NYSERDA Outreach
Coordinator
-Mark Wyman, Association for Energy
Affordability (BPI Affiliated, Energy Management Training Center)
Register with Deann
Cartwright at 914-993-1649 or
conservationoutreach@greenburghny.com
by June 16th for this FREE, one-time event.
Light & local refreshments will be
available!