December 2008
RATE HEARING SET TO CONVENE IN JUNE
TLTA represented you earlier in this month before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) at a pre-hearing conference for the 2008 Biennial Rate Hearing.
Due to the current economic situation and the industry's need for a review of rates, TLTA and other industry parties argued that the hearing be held as soon as possible, preferably March or April. Citing scheduling conflicts, both TDI and OPIC argued for later dates. The SOAH judges, expressing great deference to their conflicting schedules, decided that the hearing would begin during the first week of June. We will notify you once an exact date has been set.
Meantime, the TLTA staff, legal counsel and expert witnesses are making preparations to present the industry's case and we will keep you posted on our progress. Please contact
Aaron Day with questions or comments.
MINERALS MEETING SCHEDULED AT TDI NEXT WEEK
The TLTA Minerals Task Force and Board of Directors have made good progress on a revised proposal dealing with this issue. We will be presenting a progress report to TDI at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 16 and will provide you an update after that meeting.
REALTORS BEGIN TO JUMP SHIP IN TEXAS
Fort Worth Business Press| Nov 24 2008
With the real estate market on unstable ground, state and local Realtor groups are seeing declines in both new applications as well as in renewals. According to the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR), the number of licensed Realtors in Texas fell to 84,692 last month. That’s nearly 4,000 less than a year ago.
Sherry Matina, CEO of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, said the local chapter has not seen a significant decline in membership renewals to date, but the organization did have between 30 and 40 percent fewer new applications in the last half of 2008. Of course, not all real estate licensees are members of TAR, so the total number of Texas licensees is significantly higher. According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, there were 148,621 licensees as of this month.
JOB LOSSES MOUNT AS ECONOMIC PICTURE WORSENS
Associated Press| Dec 6 2008
But economists, staring at 533,000 lost jobs, were anything but hopeful. Since the start of the recession last December, the economy has shed 1.9 million jobs, and the number of unemployed people has increased by 2.7 million — to 10.3 million now out of work. Some analysts predict 3 million more jobs will be lost between now and the spring of 2010 — and that the once-humming U.S. economy could stagger backward at a shocking 6 percent rate for the current three-month quarter.
OBAMA: FINANCIAL BAILOUT MUST HELP HOMEOWNERS, TOO
Associated Press| Dec 3 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama signaled a clear desire Wednesday to use a significant portion of $700 billion in financial bailout funds to stanch foreclosures by helping struggling homeowners with their mortgages. "The deteriorating assets in the financial markets are rooted in the deterioration of people being able to pay their mortgages and stay in their homes," he said.
HUD LAUNCHES HOME FINANCING WEBSITE
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched a new, comprehensive website to assist Americans with improving financial literacy, sustaining healthy homeownership and achieving financial security.
The
My Money, My Home, My Future website provides a range of interactive resources to inform users about the importance of financial literacy, including a Self-Assessment Tool, online games and informative classes. The new site provides a wide-range of information about all avenues needed to be successful on the road to greater financial education, including: Building a Financial Foundation, Sustaining Healthy Homeownership, and Achieving Financial Security.
THE POLITICAL HORIZON: WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS EXPECT FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT & CONGRESS?
By: James H. Kizziar, Jr., Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
"President-elect Obama's election means an historic moment for the nation and possible changes of historic proportions for the nation's employers. Employers are already considering what this political shift will likely mean to them and preparing for changes in the employment landscape.
With the ushering in of a new President and Congress, employers are likely to face an increase in unionization and a variety of changes related to wages, civil rights, health care, immigration, and taxes. Additional costs related to minimum wage increases, the potential for a surge in employment litigation, and more severe penalties for employment law violations, will place a greater financial burden on employers and make careful preparation and management of employees even more critical. What changes can be expected?"
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome our newest members to TLTA. A list of new members approved in November and December by the TLTA Board of Directors can be viewed on our website.
BRINGING NEED-TO-KNOW INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO YOU
TLTA'S NEW END OF YEAR WEBINAR -- REGISTER NOW!
Join us next Monday, December 15th at 1:30 p.m. (CST) for our NEW end-of-the-year webinar. Our guest speakers will explain what you can do to prepare for the new RESPA rule, discuss what documents to keep and what to throw away, along with 1099-S reporting.
Start your 2009 off on the right foot, register today!
TLTA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The TLTA Certification Program has officially arrived! See if you have what it takes to earn one of these new professional designations. The first test scheduled for March 4, 2009 so act now!
Certified Escrow Settlement Associate - CESA
Certified Abstract Examination Associate - CAEA
Certified Title Insurance Associate - CTIA
BUILDING ON COMMON GROUND
TLTA and the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors are joining forces once again to offer this seminar for escrow professionals, abstractors, examiners, surveyors, and other industry professionals wanting to get a better understanding of the issues and learn from industry pros and peers through open dialog with your counterparts during round-table discussions.
Join us in Austin on Thursday, January 15, 2009 and earn up to 6 hours of Escrow and/or Legal Credit!
THE 18TH ANNUAL ROBERT C. SNEED TEXAS LAND TITLE INSTITUTE IS A SUCCESS
Pat Cavness, Jack Lee, Jim Childress,
Jimmy Shook, & Donald Barley
Ed Hill, Tim Redding, Sally Vetters, & Gordon Sauer
Jim Johnson, Ed Hill, & Carl Bedgood
Bob Lea, Institute Chair Roland Love, & Joey Prohaska
THIS YEAR'S PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!
TLTA DREAM VACATION GIVEAWAY TICKETS
Help the TLTAPAC and encourage employees and co-workers to sign up for the chance to win a $3,000 Travel Voucher sponsored by Simplifile. A $50 voluntary contribution enters you to win this incredible vacation getaway to anywhere your heart desires.
Please contact any of the
Board of Directors,
TLTAPAC Board of Trustees, or
Joey Prohaska for tickets. If you have any questions, please contact
our office.
TLTA FAST FACT: THE LAND TITLE SCHOOL OF TEXAS HAS EDUCATED OVER 6,000 SINCE 1976
TLTA believes success comes from education, which is why our volunteers devote countless hours to developing and presenting new educational programs and discovering new ways to offer them to our members - be it in person or online.
In 1976, we created the Land Title School of Texas - the first week long training program for title professional in Texas. The program is highly regarded and only offered once a year. Our school committee members have already planned another great program for March 2-6, 2009.
“The Land Title School was very valuable to me. I needed to be exposed to all parts of the industry and needed to have a basic knowledge about everything. I have built on the information that I received at the School and I now run the company. It is exciting to see how far I have come and how much the School really gave me a place to start in areas that I never would have guessed that I would enter.” -- Samantha A. Marrs, Texas Country Title
STEWART TITLE ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION
Earlier this week, Stewart Title Company (STC) and Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STG) announced the companies will be undergoing a management reorganization.
Mike Skalka will remain President of Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STG) overseeing all of Stewart's underwriting companies. Glenn Clements will become STC Group President, Eastern States and will lead direct operations in the eastern U.S. Bob Oakland will become the STC Group President, Western States and will lead direct operations in the western U.S. George Houghton will become STG Executive Vice President, Agency Services Group and will be responsible for all Stewart Agency Services Managers serving independent agencies and their support services.
SHIRLEY READER RETIRES
After serving the Texas title industry for 30 years, Shirley Reader of Bastrop Abstract Company, Inc. retires. We at TLTA have experienced Shirley's hard work and dedication firsthand.
In addition to winning the 2005-2006 President's Award and the 2003 Peggy Hayes Teaching Award, she holds the record for the most years served on the Land Title School of Texas committee. TLTA wishes you all the best Shirley!
ESTELLA SCHRAUB 1933-2008
Estella Schraub, wife of Past President B.B. Schraub and mother of TLTA member Fred Schraub, passed away Friday, November 28, 2008. Estella was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church, an avid bridge player and an active member in her community which she loved so much. Most recently she spent time volunteering at the Christian Cupboard.
Click here for the full obituary.
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