|
Texas Observer - Big Money and Political Compaigns |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Wednesday, 22 March 2006 |
Wrath of the Soccer Moms
How a group of parents took on Tom Craddick and the state's Republican leadership
During the final week of the campaign, five separate direct-mail pieces flooded Arlington on Grusendorf's behalf, all sponsored by something called the Texas Opportunity PAC. The PAC had been around since 2000, but hadn't reported receiving or spending any money until February 17 of this year. On that day, it received $25,000 contributions from both real estate magnate Michael Stevens and homebuilder Bob Perry, the biggest campaign donor in the state for the past three years. (Bob Perry also gave more than $152,000 directly to Charlie Geren's opponent.) Lobbyist Mike Toomey directed, and also contributed to, the PAC. (Toomey, a former chief of staff for Gov. Perry, was a leader of the 2002 corporate-funded campaign by Texans for a Republican Majority and the Texas Association of Business that boosted Craddick into the speaker's chair.) In all, the Texas Opportunity PAC supplied a lot of aid to a select slate of GOP incumbents, including $170,000 worth of mailers |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 03 November 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Minnesota to Regulate Homebuilders |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Wednesday, 22 March 2006 |
Lawmakers move to help homeowners stuck with moldy homes
New legislation in Saint Paul would protect homeowners from bad builders. The problem has to do with warranties on new homes and newly remodeled homes. Those warranties are supposed to last for 10 years, but if a builder goes out of business, those warranties become useless. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Bill violated the state constitution by setting limits on damages for defective workmanship |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Sunday, 19 March 2006 |
Rendell nixes home-builder resolution bill
Gov. Rendell vetoed a bill yesterday..."I believe this bill has the potential to cause both parties to become more involved in litigation, requiring them to pay unnecessary legal bills and, ultimately, driving up the cost of builders' insurance and new homes," he said in a statement... Attorney General Tom Corbett, who said this week in a letter to Rendell that he thought the bill was unconstitutional. Corbett said the bill violated the state constitution by setting limits on damages for defective workmanship and intruded on the authority of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 July 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Builder Erpenbeck convicted of plans to kidnap & kill a Federal Judge... |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Saturday, 18 March 2006 |
Man gets 20 years on plans to kill, kidnap
A Cincinnati man was sentenced in Lexington yesterday to 20 years in prison for soliciting the killing of a federal judge and prosecutor and threatening to have an FBI agent's two children kidnapped, the U.S. attorney said.Anthony "Tony" Erpenbeck Sr. -- already serving a prison sentence in another case -- was found guilty of the federal charges in December....Bill Erpenbeck was convicted in April 2004 of bank fraud and witness tampering and is serving a 30-year sentence. See Related articles: Erpenbeck Archive & Special Investigative News Reports on Homebuilding |
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
PENNSYLVANIA CONSUMERS WIN - BUILDER'S ATTEMPT TO REGULATE BUYERS VETOED |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Saturday, 18 March 2006 |
|
THE SCANDLOUS BILL THAT BEGAN IN
TEXAS
IS KILLED IN PENNSYLVANIA
Governor Vetoes Residential Construction Dispute Resolution Act After State's AG Says It's Unconstitutional
"The proponents of this bill suggest that it would afford both contractors and consumers equal opportunity to resolve their disputes without having to resort to expensive litigation," the Governor said in his veto message. "In fact, I believe this bill has the potential to cause both parties to become more involved in litigation, requiring them to pay unnecessary legal bills and, ultimately, driving up the cost of builders' insurance and new homes as a result." Governor Rendell said the bill failed to address the real reasons why liability insurance premiums are increasing for homebuilders and contractors.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 July 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
New Jersey In The News Again |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Friday, 17 March 2006 |
FBI seizes documents of builder and lawyer
Federal agents swarmed the offices of a Freehold lawyer and developer yesterday, carting away boxes of documents for a criminal probe. Marlboro Township has been a focal point of one of the most extensive corruption investigations in the state. Former Mayor Matthew Scannapieco pleaded guilty to charges last spring and admitted accepting $245,000 in payoffs. Developer Anthony Spalliero is awaiting trial on charges that he paid most of those bribes. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Pennsylvania - Bill to regulate homebuyers |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Thursday, 16 March 2006 |
|
Residential Construction Dispute Resolution Act
The bottom line is it would establish a process that homeowners and builders would be required to participate in if they have a dispute. But is it a good thing for consumers?... But the bill also gives the contractor the right to reject the claim. Plus, it requires consumers to provide written notice of any claims at least 75 days before filing a lawsuit and the legislation lays out specifics that must be included in that written notice... Critics of the legislation say it limits the consumers right to take a contractor to court. Tony Campisi/Community Associations Inst.: "There are hoops and procedures in this detailed process that a homeowner would have to go through in order to comply with the bill." |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 July 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
WFAA News 8 Loan Fraud Part II |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Friday, 10 March 2006 |
News 8 investigates: Mortgage Fraud Part II
A crime some say is as old as prostitution may be going down in your neighborhood: mortgage fraud. It's happening in record numbers in North Texas, and it is white collar crime at its worst. The criminals are sly. Their methods are difficult to detect and tricky to prosecute. Mortgage fraud can blindside even the most honest people"including former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders. News 8 Investigates in the first of a two-part series. |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 10 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
WFAA News 8 Investigates Loan Fraud |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Friday, 10 March 2006 |
|
News 8 Investigates: Mortgage Fraud A crime some say is as old as prostitution may be going down in your neighborhood: mortgage fraud. It's happening in record numbers in North Texas, and it is white collar crime at its worst. The criminals are sly. Their methods are difficult to detect and tricky to prosecute. Mortgage fraud can blindside even the most honest people"including former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders. News 8 Investigates in the first of a two-part series. |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 13 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Star Builders meaningless optional program |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Friday, 10 March 2006 |
Texas Star Builders
State officials are hailing a new program, scheduled to begin April 1, that could make it easier to identify home builders and remodelers who have worked to achieve good reputations in the business. But at least one consumer activist isn't impressed... Janet Ahmad, president of HomeOwners for Better Building, says of the new program: "Since it is optional, it is meaningless for the consumer... My guess is they want to divert some of the attention of the comptroller's report and put a spin on this meaningless optional program." |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 13 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Toll Brothers eager to build on Toxic Site |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Thursday, 09 March 2006 |
Richmond leaves open issue of report on toxic site
The Richmond City Council put off approval Tuesday of a controversial environmental report that would allow the construction of 269 residential units on a highly toxic, waterfront site...Toll Brothers home builders is proposing the five-story, Westshore Marina Residential Condominiums on a vacant 6-acre site at the end of Marina Way South. The units are expected to sell for between $800,000 and $1 million. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Fly-by-night contractors flock to Texas |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Thursday, 09 March 2006 |
|
Homeowners Hit by Hurricane Rita Lose Again to Contractors
The 31-year-old mother of three said she paid an out-of-town contractor $1,200 to repair her waterlogged kitchen cabinets and countertops after Hurricane Rita... Robert Kessell of Beaumont was anxious to get his roof fixed and paid $2,800 down on a $4,300 job to a Houston contractor, HRI Houston Roofing...The elderly seem to have taken the brunt of contractor scams. Agnes Devault, 78, put $1,200 down on a roofing job with a Beaumont contractor. When the roofer stopped returning her calls, she checked out one of the references he'd given her. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 09 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Building Industry Regulation Woefully Inadequate |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Monday, 06 March 2006 |
Opinion: More Oversight Needed Of Home Builders
While there are a large number of good quality home builders in Tennessee, regulation of this industry is woefully inadequate...Under current Tennessee law, before the governor can appoint any residential contractor board member, he must first consult with the Tennessee Home Builders Association. |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 06 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Outstanding Article:Requiem for a dream home |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
Requiem for a dream home
When he describes his impression of Franklin now, after winning a $3 million dollar civil suit against the man, the words he uses are "liar," "thief," and "con artist." Richard, his wife Sheri, and others who dealt with Franklin, owner of the now defunct companies Franklin Construction and Wellington Builders, feel virtually the same way. |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 March 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Bribery in in Housing Authority Scandal |
|
Written by Janet Ahmad
|
|
Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
Contractor pleads guilty to bribery in housing authority scandal
A building contractor pleaded guilty in an agreement with prosecutors Wednesday to spending more than $200,000 in bribes to get work with the Springfield Housing Authority. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Home 
