September 2019 Edition
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After a long and contentious election season, former Vice President Joe Biden will become the 46th president of the United States. It appears that Republicans will retain control of the upper chamber. The tally currently stands at 50 Republican Senate seats to 48 Democratic seats, with two Georgia Senate races headed to a Jan. 5 runoff. And while the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives remains in Democratic hands, House Republicans recaptured some of the suburban seats they lost in 2018. As the 117th Congress is seated in January 2021, and with Democrats regaining control of the White House, NAHB’s near-term priorities remain passing another coronavirus relief package and providing relief from recent highs in lumber prices. Longer-term efforts will focus on ensuring a strong economy and creating a regulatory environment that supports new home production so that housing continues to be the brightest spot in the economic recovery. Read NAHB’s election summary for more detail about the new political environment.
Single-Family Starts Pace Best Since 2007 Led by solid gains in single-family production, overall housing starts increased 4.9% in October to a season- ally adjusted annual rate of 1.53 million units, accord- ing to a report from HUD and the Census Bureau. The October reading of 1.53 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. The pace of single-family starts was the best since the spring of 2007.
IRS Rules on PPP and Expense Deductions Businesses that get their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven will not qualify for some valuable deductions, according to IRS guidance. "Companies that have “a reasonable expectation that the govern- ment won’t require them to pay back the money can’t deduct the business expenses paid for by the loan.” There is a bipartisan effort in Congress to overturn the IRS’ guidance. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) support legislative changes that would allow businesses to deduct expenses paid for with PPP money.
NAHB Focuses on Mental Health NAHB has launched a new effort focused on mental wellbeing in the construction industry with an emphasis on helping association members support healthy work environments and be more proactive in looking at their own health and wellness. Construction workers are particularly susceptible to mental health issues and suicide. More construction workers die by suicide each day than all workplace- related fatalities combined, with a rate of 43.5 suicides per 100,000 workers.
NAHB Prepared to Work With Biden White House
As a way to say hello to all members that I have yet to meet. I'd like to run a special promotion for all stone work booked in the month of May by any LABA member. The price will be at a base rate of $20 a square ft. That is the price for labor and materials installed of any Dutch Quality stone!!! Hope to meet everyone soon. - Austen Heidlage, Heidlage Masonry P: 417-310-2019 Meeting your financial goals requires making a plan - and sticking to it. Please contact Sheri Plantz with Edward Jones Investments at 788-6460 or CLICK HERE **NEW Avalon Design Group is offering a 50% discount to all Builders for any/all Parade of Homes projects that utilize their Design/Drafting Services. Contact Tim at 319-540-8214 for more information. Unlimited travel discounts from Snazzy Traveler! You must be an active member of record or an affiliate member with WBA and you will receive a free Snazzy Traveler membership (valued at $99). No black out dates or restrictions. Sign up today at www.wisbuild.org Free Reclaimed Wood Headboard w/ Purchase of Wood Flooring or Wall Treatments- Contact Larry at Used Anew LLC e:larry@usedanew.com p: (608) 487-0547 http://www.usedanew.com 4 Rooms FREE with Advanced Multimedia Solutions ~ Whole house audio pre-wire for LABA member contractors. Contact for scheduling 608-783-0949 or sales@AMSAudioVideo.com. To be eligible for the General Motors $500 discount, you must be the active member of record or an affiliate member with NAHB. If you would like to verify your status or add additional memberships for your business, please contact Tena at the LABA office. Do you have a discount program exclusively for LABA Members? Get your message out to members FREE in the Floorplan and/or at www.labaonline.com! Contact Tena at 608-781-5242 or tena@labaonline.com
LABA has a closed Facebook group for Members Only. We tried to invite as many members as Facebook would allow us to tag, but we know we were not able to get everyone. If you are on Facebook and did not receive an invitation please let us know, so we can get you in this exclusive group. If you have been invited please accept your invitation.
Appreciation
Contact Tena for more information at (608) 781-5242.
Brad Boycks, Executive Director
Access the Blueprint by clicking on here. If you have received the paper version of this newsletter please visit wisbuild.org and check out the news on the website. Thirdy on Thursdays Thu, Dec 17, 202010:00 AMThu, Dec 16, 2021 at 10:30 AM Please join us for our web series, Thirdy On Thursdays where our guests will range from affinity partners to business executives to government leaders.
660 John Nolen Drive, Suite 320, Madison, Wisconsin 53713-1469 www.wisbuild.org for more information
GMM November Update
Member Benefits
The WBA Legal Hotline is a service provided to you FREE as part of your membership and is only a phone call away! Find out more at wisbuild.org WBA legal resource center is available exclusively for members sponsored through Axley Brynelson, LLP
The WB Foundation offers online continuing education credits for holders of Wisconsin's Dwelling Contractor credentials through its partnership with Slipstream and the B4 Conference. These courses are designed to fulfill Wisconsin's continuing education requirements for dwelling contractors (12 credit hours every two years), and are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS). Check out the link here: https://www.wisbuild.org/online-courses-preview
Use the WBA Builders Direct Fund to support your candidate and support Building a Better Wisconsin PAC. Make a personal individual contribution to the Builders Direct Fund Conduit to support a candidate for governor, attorney general, state senate, or state assembly by using a personal, individual or single member LLC credit card. BuildersDirectFund.com
Member Dicounts - 7
December 15: Holiday Giving & Treats Drive-Thru, 1 - 3 p.m. LABA Office 2021 January 19: General Membership Meeting TBD January 22: WBA Member Meeting Day Wilderness Resort in WI Dells WBA President's Installation Dinner @ Wilderness Resort in WI Dells February 16: General Membership Meeting TBD
Save the Date
816 Second Avenue S. Onalaska, WI 54650
NEW OFFICE HOURS The LABA Office will be CLOSED FRIDAYS and will be closed: Thurs. & Fri., Dec. 24-25 for Christmas Friday, Jan. 1 for New Year's