Missouri RealEstateRama

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today applauded Gov. Eric Greitens (R-Mo.) for signing legislation into law that will promote fair and open competition on contracts for construction services funded by Missouri taxpayers. SB 182 ensures controversial project labor agreements (PLAs) cannot be mandated by the government on state, state-assisted and local construction projects, guaranteeing that the almost three out of four members of Missouri’s private construction workforce who have chosen not to join a labor union can fairly compete to work on projects funded by their own tax dollars

On Friday, Congressman Jason Smith was in Marston to tour the New Madrid Power Plant and discuss his work to relieve the regulatory burden on energy providers in Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt in Clifton Hill, Mo., to discuss ways to keep energy rates affordable, protect the environment, and better partner with state and local stakeholders.

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) welcomed EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to the Thomas Hill Energy Center in Clifton Hill, Mo. Blunt and Pruitt toured the energy plant and heard from workers, Missouri Electric Cooperative members, and agricultural leaders about the impact excessive regulations have on their jobs and industries. In his remarks, Blunt commended the Trump administration for the swift action it has taken to rein in the previous administration’s Waters of the United States Rule and so-called Clean Power Plan, both of which imposed burdensome, costly red tape on the energy and agriculture sectors.

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is pleased to announce that the Kansas City Public Library will share a nearly quarter-million dollar grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This two year grant of, $249,586, will be used to advance the Kansas City Public Library’s digital learning program.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has joined a bipartisan push in the Senate to boost American jobs, demanding that ‘Buy America’ provisions requiring U.S. workers and materials be used in construction projects, be restored to a national water infrastructure bill, after they were removed by U.S. House Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement upon conclusion of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee hearing titled “Modernizing Appraisals: A Regulatory Review and the Future of the Industry.”

The president of a Missouri-based construction company has been indicted on charges of unemployment fraud in connection with allegedly failing to pay unemployment insurance contributions to the Department of Unemployment Assistance, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today

The U.S. Court of Appeals Sunday night rejected the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request for a temporary injunction to halt construction of the Dakota Access pipeline thru traditional unceded Oceti Sakowin treaty lands near the Missouri River. The three-judge panel issued its decision Sunday after hearing oral arguments from lawyers representing the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and pipeline developers Energy Transfer Partners earlier this week. The decision was based on a specific request by the tribe for the court to continue a work stoppage order on the pipeline within 20 miles on either side of the Missouri River

After much deliberation, yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), H.R. 5303. Earlier this week, Democratic Caucus members fervently argued for an amendment that would provide repairs and health services to the residents of Flint, Michigan, without success. Today, however, House Republicans have agreed to an amendment that will authorize $170 million to repair and replace public and private infrastructure in Flint and across the country.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement upon conclusion of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee titled “The Impact of U.S. – EU Dialogues on U.S. Insurance Markets.”

The number of residential permits issued during August indicates that local builders will be working hard to replenish new home inventory, according to the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City’s (HBA) monthly Residential Building Permit Statistics report.   Area communities issued 530 permits for new single family residences during August, an increase of 36 from the prior month and 105 more permits than in August of 2015.    The year-to-date total of 3,852 is 29% higher than 2015’s total through August.  Multi-family permits are also setting a brisk pace with 3,062 units permitted during the first eight months of this year.

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) calls on House leadership to move forward with protecting and securing homes and businesses from potential flooding by voting on the Water Resources Development Act, (WRDA) H.R. 5303. Congressman Cleaver, along with over 142 House Members, sent a letter to the Speaker Paul Ryan, and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, asking that they bring WRDA for a vote. The letter can be found here. The U.S. Senate today passed their version of the water infrastructure bill, which also includes funding to help the residents of Flint, Michigan.

In June, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) along with Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) sent a letter to the CEO of Airbnb, Inc. Brian Chesky. The letter, which can be found here, addressed recent reports of discrimination against African-Americans and other minorities who attempt to book rooms online with Airbnb.

New residential permit activity in the Kansas City region slowed slightly during July but area builders are still on track for a 30% increase over 2015. Local cities and counties issued 494 permits for new single family units, bringing the year-to-date total to 3,322 according to the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City’s July Residential Building Permit Statistics report. Multi-family construction also continues to grow: construction activity from January to July rose 42 percent with 2,409 units permitted, compared with 1,706 units for the first seven months of 2015.