Building Business News
Volume Volume 17 18 •• NO.7 NO.11
January 2014 November July2012. 2011
www.kchba.org
The Official Newspaper of The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City
Missouri and Kansas Legislative Agendas Approved With Kansas and Missouri state legislators returning to work this month, the HBA Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors have approved the 2014 Legislative Agendas for Kansas and Missouri. The legislative agendas include longstanding policy issues that are important to HBA members and key to a strong housing industry. The legislative agendas also serve as the HBA’s guide for its advocacy efforts in Topeka and Jefferson City and are designed to adapt to any legislation that may come our way during the legislative sessions. It is difficult to predict what will happen during the upcoming Kansas legislative session, which begins on January 13. Much depends on the Kansas Supreme Court’s anticipated decision in the Gannon v. State of Kansas case, which may or
may not order the legislature to increase education funding or the base state aid per pupil by close to $500 million. Tax reform, or efforts to reduce personal
and business taxes, is expected to be on the agenda again in Jefferson City, as well as a debate on wheather Missouri should be a “Right to Work” state. The Missouri General Assembly enters into session on January 8. The Government Affairs Committee, which is charged with examining issues
and legislation and recommending policy positions, began discussing the HBA’s legislative agenda in October. The Committee is co-chaired by Harold Phelps, Phelps Engineering, Inc., and Brenner Holland, Hunt Midwest Residential, LLC. Committee members represent a broad spectrum of the housing industry, including: Tommy Angotti, Factory Direct Appliance, Misty Hanson, Stewart Title of Kansas City, Curtis Harris, Gordon Energy & Drainage, Kevin Kirtley, K & E Flatwork, LLC, Richard Mather, Richard Mather Builders, Inc., Jim Pollard, Pollard & Associates, HBA President, Chris Ragland, Homes by Chris, LLC, George Schluter, GWS, Inc., and Michael Builders Development Snodgrass, Corporation.
HBA Welcomes 2014 at Night of Awards The tradition continued in December as the HBA’s Inaugural Dinner brought together members and guests for an evening of celebration and awards. The event is special night to welcome the incoming President of the Board of Directors, the new executive committee, and presenting the annual HBA awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals who have made a lasting and significant impact on housing in Kansas City. Those awards include the Bob Bollier Award for Sales and Marketing, the Fred J. Geier Associate of the Year, the Builder Hall of Fame and new this year was the Next Generation Builder. See page 13 for more on the 2013 recipients with the remarks from the awards presentation. PRSTRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 108 Lawrence, Ks
National Economists to Present Forecast Will 2014 be a good year for the housing sector? Will the labor m a r k e t improve? Will the cost of building materials increase or decrease in 2014? Get these questions answered at the HBA’s annual Economic Forecast Breakfast on Thursday, January 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center. David Crowe, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, the National Association of Home Builders, will provide the latest economic and housing forecast from NAHB’s wealth of information. Chris Kuehl, co-founder and President, Armada Intelligence, will provide his analysis of local and national economic prospects. Both economists have presented at the HBA in the past to rave reviews. Registration and networking begins at 8:00 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., breakfast will be served and the presentations will begin. The program concludes at 10:00 a.m. Hospitality provided by SMC. To register for this event, please visit kchba.org or contact Andrew McKeegan at Andrew@kchba.org.
Fred Delibero, Past President Award, Chris Ragland, 2014 President
Inside this Edition
Legislative Agenda
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Top Houses
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