Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed a $1.7 billion plan to provide property tax credits by tying property taxes to household income. The program would be phased in over four years and provide credits to more than one million middle-class homeowners and more than one million renters. 

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On January 12, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 26, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015, into law. H.R. 26 renews the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for six years, keeping it alive through 2020. Along with reauthorizing the program, H.R. 26 makes a few changes to further protect the federal government from risk including raising the trigger amount for the program from $100 million to $200 million, and increasing the mandatory recoupment amount from $27.5 billion to $37.5 billion, along with decreasing the government’s share in losses from 85 percent to 80 percent. Otherwise, it makes few changes to a program that has kept terrorism risk insurance affordable and available throughout the country since 2002 at virtually no cost to taxpayers.

In its 2014 year-end foreclosure market report, RealtyTrac Inc. reported New York State had 47,612 total foreclosure filings in 2014, an increase of 3.72 percent from 2013. With one in every 170 homes receiving a foreclosure filing in 2014, New York State ranked 27 out of all 50 states. During the 2014 fourth quarter, New York State had 13,683 total foreclosures, a 9.37-percent increase from the 2014 third quarter. New York State had 4,662 total foreclosures in December 2014, a decrease of 3.36 percent from November.

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NYSAR Director of Government Affairs Michael Kelly testified before the New York State Fire Prevention and Building and Code Council regarding NYSAR’s continued opposition to the council’s adoption of the 2015 International Construction Code (ICC) containing a provision mandating the installation of fire sprinklers in all newly constructed one- and two-family homes and townhomes. 

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In advance of his State of the State Address and budget presentation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced a new economic development initiative that will pit seven upstate regions in a competition to win three awards of up to $500 million in state economic development funds.

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Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover agency issues, specifically seller’s agents. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning on your PC or Mac by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page. You will need to be logged in to listen. If you have not yet created your account with the website, you will need to click on "New User" on the Member Login page and follow the prompts.

Click here for more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices.

Give the gift that can help save a life by participating in the NYSAR Young Professionals Network’s American Red Cross Blood Drive being held in conjunction with the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings on Wednesday, February 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 15 minute increments and are encouraged to avoid long wait times. To make your appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "NYSARAlbany." Or, email NYSAR Director of Marketing Kristen Pooler at kpooler@nysar.com with your availability.

Capitalize on what sets REALTORS apart from real estate licensees with the GRI-1 Ethics course, offered January 23 at the Albany Marriott in Albany, NY. This course satisfies NAR’s mandatory quadrennial ethics training requirement and is a must for Professional Standards Committee members and local board leaders. You’ll discover how to put the Code of Ethics to work for you, maximize your REALTOR benefits, and enhance your professionalism and your career through community involvement.

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) required course will be offered January 28-29 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS in Staten Island, NY. This course will teach you how to become an efficient and profitable buyer’s representative by providing the quality of service and degree of fidelity today’s buyers expect. 

Click here for more information or to register.

Take your business to the next level and gain market share with GRI-2 Business, offered on January 29 at the LIBOR REALTOR Service Center in Woodbury, NY. This course provides the building blocks to: create an effective business plan; build support structures using assistants and teams; prospect successfully and tap into niche markets; and develop policies to avoid risk.

Register online today or call NYSAR at 800-239-4432 x219. Click here for more information.

TransUnion SmartMove is an easy, comprehensive and reliable web-based tenant background check offering access to a full credit report, criminal report, customized leasing recommendations and suggested deposit amount to request at lease signing. The trusted brand’s process is all online and you pay only when you use it with no set-up, minimum or annual fees. Click here to learn more.

Enrollment for health insurance in 2015 will close on February 15, 2015. Look to NYSAR Member Perks partner USI Affinity to help you navigate the plan options and find the coverage that best suits your needs. Remember, you will face tax penalties if you do not obtain coverage. Also, if you miss open enrollment, you will not be able to obtain health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment. For more information, visitwww.myrealtorinsurance.com/nysar.

"True Blues" features Presidents Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Woodrow Wilson, Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry S. Truman, Andrew Jackson and Franklin D. Roosevelt gathered for a friendly game of poker! The print is matted, framed and ready for your wall. Bidding closes on Friday, January 30.

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Back by popular demand, the RPAC VIP Lounge will be offered at the Desmond! Take refuge from NYSAR’s hectic business meetings by visiting the RPAC Lounge where you’ll gain access to a continental breakfast, hot lunch buffet, snacks and beverages, chair massage, manicurist, psychic readings, cable TV, computers, printer, unlimited Internet access, cell phone chargers, newspapers and more! Register online while registering for the business meetings. The cost is a $250 RPAC pledge or investment. Questions? Email NYSAR Political Affairs Coordinator Derick King at dking@nysar.com or call 518-463-0300 x238. Click here for a flyer with more information.