While job gains decelerated in November, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% and the labor force participation rate increased to 61.8%, the highest reading since March 2020. The increase in the labor force participation rate indicates that more people are returning to the labor force, a necessary requirement for additional hiring. Construction industry employment (both residential and non-residential) totaled 7.5… Read More ›
In the December Chairman’s Update, NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke provides some good news to members regarding builder confidence, as measured by the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. He also gives an update on NAHB’s response to the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 47 states and the District of Columbia in October compared to the previous month while three states lost jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 531,000 in October, following an upwardly revised increase of 312,000 jobs in September. On a month-over-month basis, employment data was strong in… Read More ›
NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that total private residential construction spending stood at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $774.9 billion, down 0.5% from the upwardly revised September estimates. Total private residential construction spending was 16.7% higher than a year ago. Spending on single-family, multifamily constructions and improvements all declined in October, as homebuilding is still facing… Read More ›
In November, Congressman Garret Graves joined HBA Leadership including board members of HBA and BuildPAC, and industry partners and builder champions.
Congressman Graves provides updates on numerous flood projects in the Greater Baton Rouge Area. If interested, members can subscribe through the following LINK
To learn more about government relations and other industry issues, please contact Melissa Parmelee, Community and Government Relations.
On November 30th, the Livingston Parish Ordinance Committee meeting including several agenda items relevant to the home building industry.
New item, Submittal Ordinance, was discussed with Garry Talbert requesting more information from the attendees to discuss why the planning department grants up to 5% variance on different phases of filings.
The Drainage Impact Fees Ordinance took most of the discussion time with all but one speaking against. Members of the committee and audience referenced there was a lot of grey areas, undefined. Below are the following reasons stated that the ordinance should not be adopted in its current form:
- Defining how the area retention would be classified: watershed, HUC, etc.
- Recognized the need to look at the larger area and how water is detained
- Legal definition of the development’s impact of the in and outflow of water
- Consideration of credits towards to developers who positively impact drainage without be required
Livingston Parish Drainage Impact Fee Ordinance (November 4, 2021)
CONTACT Livingston Parish Ordinance Committee Members:
Chair Tracy Girlinghouse, Councilman District 7, (225)236-8774, tgirlinghouse@lpcgov.com
Vice Chair Maurice “Scooter” Keen, Councilman District 3, (225)305-8996, mkeen@lpcgov.com
R.C. “Bubba” Harris, Councilman District 5, (225)363-5155, rharris@lpcgov.com
Garry Talbert, Councilman District 2, (225)933-6456, gtalbert@lpcgov.com
*Committee members also serve on Livingston Parish Council.
Advocate Article on November 26th: One-time development fee debated in Livingston Parish amid growth concerns, flood threats
To learn more about impact fees and other industry issues, please contact Melissa Parmelee, Community and Government Relations.
