Author Archive

GENERAL ASSEMBLY KICKS OFF IN JANUARY

The 2015-2016 legislative session will begin January 14, 2015. When lawmakers return they will be electing a new Speaker of the House. President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) will remain the leader of the Senate with Sen. Louis Pate (R) as Deputy Pro Tempore and Sen. Harry Brown (R) as Majority Leader. Republicans will maintain

CONGRESS PASSES ONE YEAR EXTENSION ON MORTGAGE DEBT CANCELLATION

Before adjourning sine die in December, Congress finally took action on tax extensions. The “Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act” was included in the package approved by the U.S. House and Senate and was sent to the President’s desk for signature into law. As the session drew to a close, a last-gasp effort to extend the

GOODWIN DENIES INSURERS REQUEST FOR HOMEOWNERS INCREASE

In December, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has ordered a zero percent statewide overall average change in homeowners insurance rates, effective June 1, 2015. The ordered rates vary by geographic territory and type of insurance. On average, homeowners insurance rates are to decrease by 0.3 percent, renter’s insurance rates are to increase by 11.2 percent, and

BASE HIRES HEATHER JARMAN AS REGULATORY AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE), the Wilmington-based real estate, development and building lobbying group, is pleased to announce it has hired Heather Jarman as Regulatory Affairs Director. As Regulatory Affairs Director, Jarman will represent BASE and its members on local, coastal, state and federal government affairs issues. Prior to joining BASE, Jarman was