ACTION ALERT

Health Insurance Bill Awaiting Senate Action

Minnesota REALTORS® need to urge passage of S.1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006 sponsored by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) when the bill comes to the floor for a vote.

S.1955 is extremely important to all REALTORS® who depend upon individual or small group insurance markets for health insurance.

As a small business people you know that the current insurance delivery system does not work for the self-employed and small employers. Quite frankly, it's broken. In the individual market, insurers commonly "cherry pick" only the best risks. In the small group market, the numbers of companies offering coverage are limited, at best.

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Do Cities Desire "Affordable Housing" or "Fee Generating Housing"

In providing an overview to Minnesota Senators, Glenn Dorfman and Susan Dioury found that the Housing Impact Fees in the Metro Area increase the cost of housing by $50,000!

As Minnesota Senators considered increasing the State Deed Tax - to provide funds for "affordable housing" - your Minnesota REALTOR® staff was busy pointing out that increasing the cost to sell a home does not make housing more affordable. In fact, if the goal is to lower the price of housing, why not look at the array of fees and being charged by cities.

An example of the fees for one house in a small development of 30 units on a one acre lot is as follows:

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Minnesota REALTORS® Receive Technology Help

Your Minnesota Association of REALTORS® recognized the opportunity to provide a valuable service to our REALTOR® members throughout the state by establishing MNAR Technology Helpline.

You now have live, immediate help available to you for those computer related dilemmas. There is no limit on the length of your call or the number of calls per person.

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