Happy Tax Day to all: April 18, 2011

It's Federal Tax Day today, Monday, April 18, 2011, since Washington D.C. had a Holiday on the 15Th this year. It's also a beginning of a Full Moon.

This morning, the radio was at 3Rd Street East and the underpass of I-380 for the beginning of demolition for the new Events Center in Cedar Rapids.

City Hall to Start Demolition at Convention Complex Site on April 18 - KCRGTV9

We attended our monthly local Realtor Government Affairs meeting this morning. Good lively conversation on a variety of issues.

• Congress and President's Obama repeal of the 1099 Landlord Reporting Law



• Update on various RPAC events and fundraising



• The Chair asked a short report on the Charter Review Commission, which I and 12 other citizens were appointed to. Work will be from May 5, 2011 to August 15, 2011



• We discussed the upcoming May 3Rd LOSST votes for Linn County, including the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax



• Chapter 29 lawsuit update that will be held April 22Nd at 11 a.m. in Linn County Court - local landlords are suing the City of Cedar Rapids over Chapter 29



• Discussed the Melrose Avenue matter in the City of Iowa City



• Discussed the Mortgage Interest Deduction and the proposed $40 dues increase from the National Association of Realtors for all members



• Discussed the local sign ordinances for Cedar Rapids and Marion

At Noon, attended the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids program from Jim Schnoebelen and Dave Elgin on Transportation, with an update on the Highway 100 extension for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Other notes for the week of April 18, 2011

• 4/18, Passover



• 4/18, Revolutionary War began on this date in 1775



• 4/22, Good Friday, our offices will be formally closed for our work families to enjoy the Easter holiday with family and friends



• 4/24, Easter

Have a great week! If you are traveling, be careful, take it easy and play it safe!

ttrco

How far will the U.S. Government reduce Itemized Deductions in 2010, such as the Mortgage Interest Deduction?

The National Association of Realtors' Eye on the Hill featured the subject ...

Protecting the Mortgage Interest Deduction

Eye on the Hill - February 2010 Edition (PDF: 200K) >

Major Highlight:

• The mortgage interest deduction has been part of U.S. tax policy since the federal tax code was first enacted in 1913.

What are some members of Congress saying on this important issue?

In the past, most Members of Congress have supported our views and also opposed changes to the MID. Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and Representative Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with their other colleagues, pointed out in 2009 that changes to itemized deductions were ill advised stating "some of the reforms and offsets contained or referenced in the budget, such as the limitation on itemized deductions, raise concerns and will require more study as we determine the best policies for getting America back on track."

ttrco