August 2008


TDI COMMISSIONER SCHEDULES BIENNIAL HEARING 

TLTA has been given notice that Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Commissioner Mike Geeslin has scheduled the Biennial Rule Hearing to begin on October 2, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. and the Biennial Rate Hearing to begin on November 18, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. Click here to see the updated Notice of Public Hearing from TDI. Both hearings will be held in Room 100 of the William P. Hobby, Jr. State Office Building, 333 Guadalupe Street in Austin. The hearing notice  accompanied 66 agenda items.  If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Day, Director of Government Affairs.

MINERALS COVERAGE HEARING UPDATE

As reported in a recent Breaking News, TDI held a Minerals Coverage Hearing on July 15.  At the conclusion of the hearing, TDI Commissioner Mike Geeslin placed the hearing into recess for at least 60 days and asked that all interested parties work together in the interim to seek any possible solutions to the issue. In response to the Commissioner's request, TLTA held a stakeholders meeting this week and will continue our dialogue with all interested parties. 
We will keep you updated as this process continues. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Leslie Midgley, Executive Vice President or Aaron Day, Director of Government Affairs.


TOUGH TIMES. TOUGH TOPICS. -- SURVIVAL. STRATEGY. SOLUTIONS
TLTA REGIONAL SEMINAR SERIES COMING TO YOU! FIRST STOP: WEST TEXAS

Register today for this dynamic and informative event on Saturday, September 6 in Lubbock. Expert speakers will address need-to-know, hot topics with strategies for surviving everyday transactions. Geared for escrow officers, escrow assistants, examiners/abstractors, attorneys, managers and other title professionals, this program offers two great sessions to choose from. 
Coming to a city near you!
Central Texas (Austin), October 24
North East Texas (Richardson), November 6
Gulf Coast (Houston), February 12
South Texas (South Padre), April 4

EL PASO SPECIAL DELIVERY:  HOT TOPICS SEMINAR

Register today for this September 20 must-attend seminar brought directly to the El Paso area and hear experts share their expertise and insights on claims; foreclosure and its various alternatives; and comprehending and utilizing endorsements.  

TLTA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CORRECTION

Please note the following correction to your TLTA Membership Directory:

Page 133, Grayson County
Chapin Title Company
Add CTI (Chicago Title Insurance Company) as an underwriter


ADVERTISE TODAY WITH TLTA! 
2008-2009 MEDIA KIT NOW AVAILABLE

By advertising with TLTA, you can develop relationships with professionals and consumers who directly affect your company's sales. By offering a mix of electronic and traditional advertising, TLTA provides maximum impact for minimal investment. Contact Megan Haywood if you have any questions or to secure your advertising space today. Event sponsorship rates coming soon.


COMMITTEE CORNER -- WHO'S MEETING WHEN ABOUT WHAT

The TLTA committees are hard at work preparing for the 2008-2009 year. If you would like to volunteer for TLTA service, contact Paula Thomas. 
 
TLTA Committee Schedules:
Member Services Committee Meeting: August 5 
Legislative Committee Meeting: August 7 
Institute Committee Meeting: August 8 
Annual Conference Committee Meeting: August 13 
Regulatory Committee Meeting: August 15
Communications and Marketing Committee Meeting: September 17

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome our newest members to TLTA. 

RUTH W. MCCRACKEN, 1918 - 2008

TLTA would like to recognize the loss of friend and colleague Ruth McCracken. She worked for Alamo Title Company of San Antonio, where she became Vice President and Senior House Counsel from 1957 until her retirement. Ruth remained active on the Board of Directors post-retirement. Read Obituary

JULY BASIC MANUAL UPDATES ON P-24 AVAILABLE- 
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER AND SAVE $$$

The July 1, 2008 effective updates to the Basic Manual (changes relating to P-24) resulting from the 2006 Biennial Hearing are now available. If you are a subscriber to the Basic Manual update service or if you purchased the May 1, 2008 updates, you should have already received your July 1, 2008 updates in the mail. 

If you did not order the May 1, 2008 updates, the easiest and most cost-effective way to update your Basic Manual is to sign up for our annual subscription service. Not only will you save money but you will automatically receive all updates throughout the rest of the year. Additionally, the Basic Manual is updated on the TLTA Web site.

Basic Manual Update

"SUPREME COURT PERMITS EMPLOYEES TO SUE FOR RACE-BASED RETALIATION UNDER AN 1866 CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTE"

Contributed by James H. Kizziar, Jr., Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
The Civil Rights Act of 1866, Section 1981, which extends equal contract rights to all persons, regardless of "skin color," has long been interpreted as prohibiting race-based employment discrimination. In CBOCS West, Inc. v. Humphries, the U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed what many appellate courts have previously held that Section 1981 also bars retaliation against employees who complain about racial bias. This recent decision is significant because Section 1981 can provide an easier, and often more successful, path for some employees to sue for race-based discrimination than Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and because Section 1981, unlike Title VII, allows for the recovery of unlimited damages. 

2008 SPECIAL Centennial EDITION membership directory half price! Order today!

The 2008 Special Centennial Edition of the TLTA Membership Directory is now available for half-price! The 2009 TLTA Membership Directory won't be available until late Fall, so order today! 

TLTA-BACKED tEXAS HISTORIC COURTHOUSE PRESERVATION PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY WHITE HOUSE


The TLTA Board of Directors voted to extend its grant for another year to the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, an initiative of the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The grant and partnership allows THC to provide necessary training and technical assistance to promote the ongoing maintenance of the newly restored Texas courthouses as well as include stewardship programs featuring notable speakers and sessions on courthouse maintenance. 
Additionally, THC recently received the Preserve America Presidential Award at a White House ceremony for its Courthouse Preservation Program. Click here to view the article from THC's The Medallion. 

PRIMARY INDUSTRY JOB SOURCE: THE TLTA JOB BANK

Looking for a new employment opportunity? Looking to hire qualified professionals? The TLTA Job Bank is a great member service that is free to job seekers and half the price of Monster.com for employers. In a challenging job market, it is important to centralize all opportunities in the title industry. Post your job, 

TITLE PLANT SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE - PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Burnet County Title Plant Subscription Services with complimentary integrated document images now available. Professionally maintained by the same company that provides expert plant services to over 45 title companies in Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop Counties. For information call 1-800-388-2738 ext 309 or email [email protected].