Riverside BIA - April Newsletter

April 9, 2008

Message from BIA President, Bob Yoder

Our Job is to Protect Your Job!

Each and every day, the BIA is working hard to protect your bottom line. During these trying economic times, your membership is crucial to the success of our industry.

Now is the time for us to gather our collective strength to attain the stimulus and flexibility we need to reinvigorate our economy. The facts are on our side – new home construction is the lifeblood of our economy. Now, the collective voice of our industry is needed to turn the facts into action, boosting construction activity and the economy.

Recent victories to defer impact fees illustrate the benefits of your membership and bring to the forefront our goal which is to protect our industry and YOUR bottom line!

Renew your membership today!

Government Affairs Update

More and more local governments and school districts are hearing our call to defer and lower fees, which helps our local economies. Adding to our list of cities and water districts, the following school districts in Western Riverside County have all LOWERED THEIR FEES:

• Alvord Unified School District

• Beaumont Unified School District

• Corona/Norco Unified School District

• Menifee Union School District

• Perris Union High School District

• Riverside Unified School District

• San Jacinto Unified School District

• Val Verde Unified School District

Additionally, the BIA successfully convinced the Lake Elsinore Unified School District to postpone its fee study because of the damage a new fee increase would cause on the district and the homebuilding industry.

Click here for a complete list of the more than 21 school districts and local governments that are working with the industry to bring economic recovery to the region.

Grassroots Efforts: Achieving Results Together!

Your involvement matters! Recently, our statewide affiliate, CBIA called on you and our local government friends to support SB 1185, a bill that would extend the life of subdivision maps for an additional two years. Many of you stepped up and contacted your State Senators to make sure your voice was heard.

We are happy to announce that the bill has passed its first hurdle, the Senate Committee on Local Government This is a big accomplishment, however, the legislative process is a long, complicated journey. Please stay tuned for updates from CBIA on how you can continue to help.

Click on the images below to learn more about the American Dream Team and CBIA's latest grassroots efforts and how you can continue to help our industry.

Homebuilding Day Preview

Beginning on April 16^th and continuing to the 18^th, hundreds of BIA members from across the state will gather in Sacramento to meet with their state lawmakers. Members will inform lawmakers of our current economic plight and why reforms are needed to stimulate the industry which is the heartbeat of our state's economy.

With the legislative calendar in full swing, our representatives need to hear from you! When it comes to passing legislation, nothing is more important than constituent pressure – your voice is critical!

Click here to learn more about CBIA's Legislative Advocacy efforts.

Click here to learn about CBIA's Grassroots program.

Important Links

Member of the Month

BIA-Riverside's Member of the Month for April is Attila Csikos with First American Title. Attila has served on BIA Riverside's Membership Committee for the last six years. For two of those years he served in the capacity of Vice Chair. In 2007, he was recruited to be the Chair of the committee and currently serves in that position.

Attila's leadership throughout the years has been instrumental in the success of the chapter's recruitment and retention efforts. Although it is clear that times are tough right now, Attila is constantly at the forefront of membership and continues to lead and volunteer for an association that he believes in.

Meet Riverside BIA's Newest Members

Upcoming Chapter Events

CBIA Homebuilding Day

April 16, 2008

Sacramento, CA