Dear Members,
The second quarter of 2017 brought the conclusion of the legislative session, a win in the courts, and the beginning of a new era in BATC’s role as the industry’s voice.
The legislative session was action-packed and one of the most successful in recent memory. We teamed-up with the Minnesota REALTORS and created the Homeownership Initiative, a collection of common-sense proposals aimed at increasing first time homebuyer opportunities and greater housing affordability for all Minnesotans. The reception by the legislature and leadership by a growing cadre of legislative champions exceeded our expectations and reflected just how far we’ve come. Look for specific outcomes in this update.
We also saw success in the courts as the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of BATC member Frank Kottschade in the Kottschade v. City of Rochester case. This decision impacts the strength of arbitration clauses which are used by so many of our members, and it underscores how important legal action is for our industry.
Finally, in what is truly a momentous change, BATC’s advocacy program has re-branded itself as Housing First Minnesota. This reflects a new day for our industry and our strategic positioning to grow the housing movement by connecting with the depth of our industry throughout the state of Minnesota.
We hope you enjoy the summary of our advocacy work in support of our industry.
Onward,
