GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to meet your transportation needs. As you are shopping for a vehicle, please consider these facts about Toyota of Stuart that will help you make a well informed purchase decision:

TALLAHASSEE – The House Policy Council today passed House Bill (HB) 7069 by Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart). The legislation will close loopholes in the background screening process to help keep criminals and predators away from Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

“The main role of government is to protect the most vulnerable among us. Floridians recognize this fact and expect that their loved ones will be safe and treated with dignity, respect and compassion,” said Representative Snyder. “This legislation represents a significant step in enhancing protections for populations that are easily victimized.”

HB 7069 increases protections for vulnerable Floridians. The protections included in the legislation provide that no one can begin work with children, disabled adults or adults over 65 years of age until after a background screening is completed and the applicant is found to be qualified. Any exemptions for prior offenses cannot be made for at least three years following all sentencing sanctions, and any exemptions that are made can only be approved by the agency head. More importantly, the legislation provides that sexual predators will never receive an exemption to work with vulnerable populations.

The legislation now moves to the Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development.

TIME SPENT WATCHING COMMISSION MEETINGS

We sent an email questionnaire to a random sampling of 1,000 subscribers out of a total of roughly 5,000 DEFENDER subscribers. Its purpose was to learn how much time readers spent following Commission meetings on MartinCounty’s MCTV. 98 responses were received and compiled below. Note that these findings do not represent the viewing activities of the general population since DEFENDER subscribers are much more involved, more interested and better informed on public issues than most residents – as well as being smarter and better looking (;-)

An impressive 37.8% of respondents had attended at least one Commission meeting in person during the previous year.

An equally impressive 65.3% of respondents watched Commission meetings on MCTV during the previous year, as follows:

32.8% of those who viewed Commission meetings watched 10 or more meetings per year..

26.6% of those who viewed Commission meetings watched 5 to 9 meetings per year.

40.6% of those who viewed Commission meetings watched 1 to 4 meetings per year.

Of those who viewed, this is how much of the meetings they watched:

17.2% of meeting watchers stayed tuned in for the entire meeting.

34.4% of meeting watchers stayed tuned in for about half of the meeting.

48.4% of meeting watchers stayed tuned in for about a quarter or less of the meeting.

Get the rest of the story at Martin County Defender on the web

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) voted against another in a series of wasteful spending bills that will do nothing to create jobs and only send our nation further into debt. Democratic leadership pushed through an amended version of H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act by a vote of 217-201.

“The title of this bill is a complete and total misnomer as it will not help out of work Floridians find jobs. Once again, Speaker Pelosi and President Obama have chosen winners and losers and Florida has come out on the short end of the stick,” said Rooney. “Four states: California, Illinois, Louisiana and Washington will be receiving over half of the funds available for infrastructure and construction projects. At a time when Florida’s unemployment is over 11 percent and outpacing the national average, this short-sighted decision is unjustifiable.”

“Last February, the House passed the $1 trillion stimulus package. Democrats touted that the stimulus would create between three and four million new jobs. However, the stimulus bill failed to meet its objective and unemployment is now at 9.7 percent and the unemployment level has increased by more than 3 million jobs since February. This legislation preaches the same lofty goals as the stimulus package, which facts show, has not put Floridians back to work.

“In addition to not creating jobs and leaving Florida out of the mix on infrastructure dollars, this bill simply kicks that can down the road and doesn’t include a vital permanent fix to stave off the cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors.”

Congressman Rooney supports working in a bipartisan manner to find real solutions, not political gimmicks, to get Americans back to work. That is why he supports an alternative plan that would create 6.2 million jobs – double what was promised by the President and the Democratic leadership in their stimulus bill – at half the cost. This plan would stop over-burdensome federal regulations, contains no job-killing tax increases and would empower small business with necessary capital to reinvest and hire more workers and finally it would freeze domestic discretionary non-defense spending.

Job creation must come from private industry, not by further expanding government programs. He believes we must tear down self-imposed government obstacles to economic growth.

“Another government handout is not going to create jobs – only immediate and permanent tax relief for working families, small businesses and family farms will help incentivize businesses to start hiring again,” commented Rooney.

In what has become an unfortunate and common operating procedure, the Democratic majority allowed only a few hours for members to read the multiple issue bill before voting and prohibited any amendments from being considered.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) has introduced the “Terrorist Notification Act of 2010” which would require the nation’s intelligence community to notify the Department of Defense (DoD) when they discover that a member of the armed forces, a civilian employee, or a DoD contractor has communicated with a person who seeks to harm the United States or United States interests. In the wake of the tragic shooting at Ft. Hood, this bill aims to improve communication between DoD and the intelligence community so that crucial intelligence is shared to help prevent future attacks.

“It’s appalling that in the post-9/11 era, our nation’s intelligence community is still plagued with the inability to share integral intelligence information to other agencies; information that has the potential to prevent major attacks, such as the horrendous assault at Fort Hood by a member of our armed services. My legislation closes the communication gap that still exists to ensure the DoD is free of those who seek to harm Americans while hiding within our military.”

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s website, “Major Hasan came to the attention of the FBI in December 2008 as part of an unrelated investigation being conducted by one of our Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs). Such task forces are designed to bring investigators and analysts into a collaborative, information-sharing environment in order to maximize the collective impact of the respective agencies.” Yet at the time this information was not shared with the DoD. Under the “Terrorist Notification Act of 2010” DoD is required to respond within twenty four hours of receiving intelligence of a suspected terrorist.

The “Terrorist Notification Act of 2010” is cosponsored by House Armed Services Ranking Member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), Rep. Robert Wittman (R-Va.), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Rep. Bill Shuster (R- Pa.), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah.), Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas), Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.), Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rep. Todd Akin (R- Mo.), Rep. Phil Gingery (R-Ga.), Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.).

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, chaired by Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart), today passed legislation to close loopholes in the background screening process to help keep criminals and predators away from Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

“Floridians expect that their vulnerable loved ones will be treated with the care and respect they deserve,” said Chairman Snyder. “A large part of that expectation is that the people hired as caregivers will not be criminals looking to prey on their family members.”

This legislation (PCB CCJP 10-04) increases protections for vulnerable Floridians. The protections included in this proposal provide that no one can begin work with children, disabled adults or adults over 65 years of age until after a background screening is completed and the applicant is found to be qualified. Any exemptions that are made for prior offenses cannot be made for at least three years following all sentencing sanctions, and any exemptions that are made can only be approved by the agency head. More importantly, the legislation provides that sexual predators will never receive an exemption to work with vulnerable populations.

“Protecting Florida’s most vulnerable citizens is at the very heart of why government exists, and this legislation represents an important part of attaining that goal,” concluded Snyder.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) released the following statement regarding the federal disaster declaration announced last week by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack:

“Florida growers were hit extremely hard by the freeze last month and I am glad to see to see Secretary Vilsack declare a federal disaster so growers can receive much needed assistance. All eight counties in the 16th Congressional district were included in this declaration. I have seen the damage caused by the freeze first hand and spoken with several growers who need help and I can tell you this is welcome relief for Florida’s farmers.

“Growers in counties included in the declaration are now eligible to apply for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). These programs will help farmers recover and get back up and running as soon as possible.”

Click here for Information on these programs

Washington, DC – Wednesday, Representatives Michael McMahon (NY-13), and Tom Rooney (FL-16) joined with Representatives Harry Teague (NM-02) and Phil Roe (TN-01) to announce the founding of the Congressional Invisible Wounds Caucus. The mission of the caucus is to promote awareness of and solutions for the mental health challenges facing our service members and veterans.

In a letter encouraging other members to join the caucus, the Representatives wrote:

“There can be no question that PTSD and other serious unseen wounds of war, and our collective inability to identify and treat mental illness in our troops and veterans, has become a pressing national issue worthy of our attention.

As a nation, we are not doing enough to identify mental illness in and provide adequate mental health care for our returning service members. The price of our neglect is paid by our returned service members and those close to them in the form of depression, lower quality of life, economic insecurity, substance abuse, and suicide. The history of neglecting the mental health concerns of service members is as long as our history of military conflict, but changes in combat and conflict now mean that greater and greater percentages of our men and women in uniform are afflicted with wounds that are unseen. The time has come to confront mental health issues in our returning service members and veterans head on.”

The caucus will explore responses to rising incidents of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), depression, substance abuse, and suicide among veterans and active duty military. Congressional Quarterly recently reported that more American military personnel took their own lives in 2009 than were killed in either the Afghanistan or Iraq wars. In 2009, 259 men and women lost their lives serving their country in Afghanistan, and 76 were killed serving their country in Iraq, but no fewer than 349 service members committed suicide.

According to a RAND Corporation study from last year, nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of PTSD or major depression. Additionally, 19 percent of returning service members report that they experienced a possible TBI while deployed.

Caucus Continues Members’ Work on Behalf of Vets and Soldiers Mental Health Issues

Reps. Teague and Roe also join Members as Co-Founders of Caucus

Martin Memorial Health Systems based in Stuart, Florida, is comprised of two hospitals, three MediCenters, and numerous centers and clinics. The system is a not-for-profit, community-based health care organization that offers preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer care, wellness and rehabilitation services, and much more.

Visit Martin Memorial Helth Systems on the Web

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) released the following statement regarding the earthquake in Haiti yesterday:

"I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of life resulting from the earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families. I am encouraged to see the U.S. has already begun to provide assistance to Haiti and stands ready to help in any way possible. I know the people of South Florida will come together to lend assistance to our neighbors. I hope to participate in a Congressional Delegation trip to Haiti to assess the damage first hand.”

The Pelican Cafe sits directly on water next to the Roosevelt Bridge. The view is excellent and you can watch boats go by or walk out on the foot bridge. The Stuart shuttle will drop you off right at the Pelican Cafe and take you back to other downtown areas.

Cafe Hours Monday - Wednesday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Thursday - Saturday 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Breakfast - Thursday to Saturday 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Sunday 7:00 AM to Noon

Call 772-283-3133

In photo: Martin County County District 2 Commissioner Susan Valliere discuss the details of the grant process with Donna Carman Executive Director of Indiantown Non-profit Housing, Inc. grant recipient and fiscal agent for the grant.

Stuart -- Treasure Coast homeowners will be receiving $5.2 million in weatherization assistance over the next three years. Indiantown Non-Profit Housing, Inc. (INPHI) will be administering the Weatherization Assistance Program for Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. INPHI Executive Director Donna Carman will provide program details to the media on Wednesday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Edith Gastright, 527 SW Siesta Way, Stuart. The Gastright home has been selected for weatherization assistance services.

“We will be able to double the homeowners we are able to assist in the four-county area with this grant,” said Carman. “And, the program will also be providing jobs for local people as well. We’ve already hired seven new employees and will be hiring an additional six people shortly,” added Carman.

The Weatherization Assistance Program’s funding targets homeowners 60-years-old and older, the physically disabled, families with children under 12 and households with a high energy burden (repeatedly high utility bills). Income limits apply, a family of four earning $44,100 or less is eligible. Services include home sealing, insulation, solar screens, smart thermostat installation, appliance repair and/or replacement.

INPHI is accepting applications from homeowners for the program from throughout the four-county area. Single family detached homes occupied by owners with 2009 income of $21,660 for a single person to $59,060 for a family of six are eligible for the program. Currently, the program has three months of work already scheduled.

The Weatherization Assistance Program is funded annually through the Department of Energy and receives supplemental funding from the Department of Human Services. The federal government’s stimulus program provided additional funding for this three-year grant.

“Properly weatherizing a home can reduce energy costs by almost a third,” said Carman. “By helping people reduce their energy expenditures, we are both helping the environment and reducing monthly expenses for low income seniors and families – truly a win-win,” she said.

Weatherization assistance repairs can include sealing, insulation, solar window screens, smart thermostats, compact fluorescents, replacement of inefficient appliances and cooling systems.

For additional information and an application for assistance, visit www.inphi.org, call 877-212-0309 (toll-free) or stop by the INPHI offices at 15516 SW Osceola St., Indiantown.

Out2martincounty.com is a photo journal featuring people, "Who they are, what they do and where they do it".

Do you have something to say, an event to talk about? An event you would like me to cover? Do it here! Email your story or request to me at rshall@out2martincounty.com

Photo by: Dick Hall Out2/Martin County.com

Out2martincounty.com adheres to full compliance with C.O.P.P.A. (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998)

"Martin County's Photo Journal"

We are part of the Molly Maid network, but we're also a small business with close ties to the neighborhoods we serve. We invite you to contact us today for a free in-home consultation and house cleaning estimate.

Contact Jeff & Caren Endriss at 772 – 463 – 1882

In photo: Resident, John Patteson stated, “ Martin County should begin to live within their means, much as all of her residents have learned to do.”

By Jeannie Ferarra

STUART, FL – On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, hundreds of Martin County residents filled the Martin County Commission meeting room, lobby, and over-flow viewing in the Blake Library to have the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about the controversial Agenda Item 6:D; Public Hearing to adopt the final Assessment resolution for FY09/10 Stormwater Service Assessment and certification of Special Assessment roll to the Tax Collector. As stated in the Agenda, the Division 3 of Chapter 159 of the Martin County Code sets forth a two-step process for creating and imposing stormwater assessments. The Board completed the first step by adopting Initial Assessment Resolution No. 09-7.33 on July 21, 2009. The second and final step of the process is the adoption of a Final Assessment Resolution which sets the FY09/10 Stormwater Assessment rates and certifies the special assessment roll to the Tax Collector. [Agenda item: 804c85ca. Source: Final Agenda 09/15/09 provided by the Martin County Commissioners’ Office. www.martinfl.us].

As dozens upon dozens of residents from Hobe Sound to Indiantown, to Jensen Beach lined up to pick up there “Request” to speak, it was undoubtedly going to be a very long morning for the Martin County Commissioners. Whether the member of the public that was addressing the audience was well-informed, or had heard rumors about the Assessment, each had something to say. Members of the public that waited in the lobby for their opportunity to address the County Commissioners all had similar reasons for opposing the adoption of the final resolution. Some were patiently waiting their turn, others held signs that said, “We are not an ATM!” while still more filed in as the meeting progressed as long as they could find a place to park. Most that spoke had never been to a Martin County Commission meeting before, and still others, had not been present for a very long time.

As was the case with our former County Commissioner from District 5, Michael Diterlizzi. Diterlizzi shared with this reporter, “I have not been to a meeting since November 2008, but this one was too important, and needs to go down. I have voted against it twice, and in these tough economic times, the County needs to really look hard at cutting spending, not additional taxing.”

Many other residents shared similar sentiments, some were very articulate, and well prepared, others were emotional, yet all had valid opinions. The Stuart West HOA was very well prepared, and presented convincing evidence why their community (and others like it) should be granted exemptions from this Assessment when they have paid and purchased for their own stormwater management.

Yet, the consensus with most was that the County Commissioners needed to look elsewhere for funding. Despite several of the members having traveled to Washington last week, residents were not convinced that they had learned much from their experience. Resident, John Patteson stated, “ Martin County should begin to live within their means, much as all of her residents have learned to do.”

How will it all turn out? Stay tuned and keep reading, this is the First Amendment at its finest, with the public playing an active role in local politics …….

Out2martincounty.com is a photo journal featuring people, "Who they are, what they do and where they do it".

Do you have something to say, an event to talk about? An event you would like me to cover? Do it here! Email your story or request to me at rshall@out2martincounty.com

Photo by: Dick Hall Out2/Martin County.com

Out2martincounty.com adheres to full compliance with C.O.P.P.A. (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998)

"Martin County's Photo Journal"

Winterling Lighting has been celebrated for their unique approach to lighting design for 26 years. From bali and Indonesia to England and Italy and throughout America and The Caribbean, they have turned darkness into dreamscapes for an elite private and commercial clientele.

Visit Winterling Lighting on the Web

Stuart -- Citizens of Martin County came together yesterday at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge to protest U.S. Government runaway spending.

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government. Organized in all 50 states by Americans from all walks of life, these "tea parties" were a true grassroots protest of irresponsible fiscal policies and intrusive government.

Stuart -- Citizens of Martin County came together yesterday at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge to protest U.S. Government runaway spending.

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government. Organized in all 50 states by Americans from all walks of life, these "tea parties" were a true grassroots protest of irresponsible fiscal policies and intrusive government.

Forget black or brown. Brightly colored picture frames are all the rage. Moulding manufacturers are releasing all kinds of non-traditional hues, so consumers can add a little pizzazz to their homes. “Large, vibrant poster art displayed in a colored frame can create a stunning focal point in a room,” says Charlie Shannon owner of the Pal City Fastframe showcase. “It can take the overall design of a space from something nice to something truly unique and special.”

Stuart -- Citizens of Martin County came together yesterday at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge to protest U.S. Government runaway spending.

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government. Organized in all 50 states by Americans from all walks of life, these "tea parties" were a true grassroots protest of irresponsible fiscal policies and intrusive government.

We are very proud to introduce our UltraLuster Waterless Car Wash and Polish to The Treasure Coast as the finest waterless product in the market place today. Our product has the ability to be applied in direct sunlight, on wet surfaces, and leave no "over-spray" of white dots on all of the black plastic surfaces on your vehicle. We are confident that UltraLuster will be your choice in waterless technology.

We are proud supporters of the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Golf Tournament and Wine Tasting August 20th - Contact Ken Coe For more information at 772-220–7980

Contact James Snyder - 772-285-7528

Stuart -- Citizens of Martin County came together yesterday at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge to protest U.S. Government runaway spending.

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government. Organized in all 50 states by Americans from all walks of life, these "tea parties" were a true grassroots protest of irresponsible fiscal policies and intrusive government.

Out2MartinCounty always gets the story correct because YOU WRITE THE STORY.

Contact the Out2 staff for details at 772-219-9700 for more information.

Stuart -- Citizens of Martin County came together yesterday at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge to protest U.S. Government runaway spending.

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government. Organized in all 50 states by Americans from all walks of life, these "tea parties" were a true grassroots protest of irresponsible fiscal policies and intrusive government.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s address to Congress tonight: "Tonight I hoped to hear that the President has been listening to the American people over the past month. From the town hall meetings I hosted in August it is clear to me that Americans have had enough of the rapid expansion of government especially when it comes to an important issue such as health care. We need a plan that does not punish small businesses and tax individuals. Any type of government takeover of our nation’s health care system is not the answer and is unacceptable.”

By: Al Forman On Aug. 25, 2009, Martin County sent a notice to all property owners that the County Commission will hold a hearing on Sept. 15, 2009 to hear public comments – and almost certainly impose - a Stormwater Service Assessment fee. The notice was poorly worded, and omitted some crucially important information. It left most residents confused.

Here are the key things that the notice did state:

PHILADELPHIA -– Earlier today John Walsh, host of the TV show America’s Most Wanted, presented Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart) with an award for his success in passing legislation to reform DNA collection in the State of Florida.

During a Forensic DNA Luncheon at the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL*) in Philadelphia, Representative Snyder and several other state legislators from around the nation were designated as “Katie’s Heroes.” Katie Sepich, the namesake for the award, was brutally raped and murdered in 2003. Since then, her parents Dave and Jayann Sepich have become advocates for passing legislation requiring DNA collection at the time of felony arrests.

Had a DNA sample been taken from Katie's murderer, Gabriel Avilla, upon arrest for an unrelated crime, the Sepich's would have discovered who killed their daughter only three months after her death. Instead, Avilla remained free to victimize more unsuspecting daughters, while the Sepich's waited for answers.

"By collecting DNA upon a felony arrest, we can use science to find the murderers and rapists before they can harm anyone again,” said John Walsh. “Florida needs this law, and I am thankful for the Legislature's commitment to protecting the citizens of Florida."

“I was honored to receive national recognition,” said Representative Snyder, “but my focus is on the victims in Florida.”

Senate Bill (SB) 2276, the companion to House Bill 1151 which Representative Snyder sponsored in the Florida House of Representatives, authorizes the collection of DNA samples from felony arrestees through a phase-in schedule. To date, 20 other states have passed and implemented similar legislation.

Governor Charlie Crist signed SB 2276 into law on June 16, 2009.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) successfully secured vital Everglades funding and other projects on the Treasure Coast in a critical House appropriations bill. The House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill which includes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete various projects throughout the district.

Projects included in the House bill include:

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Governor Charlie Crist yesterday signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 2276 sponsored by Senator Steve Oelrich (R-Gainesville) and Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart). Despite aggressive efforts by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to block its passage, the new law will allow the criminal justice system to collect DNA samples from felony arrestees at the time of booking rather than at the time of conviction.

In refuting ACLU’s executive director, Howard Simon, who appears more concerned with protecting criminal’s rights than innocent victim’s rights, Representative Snyder made the following statement:

"This new law will prevent repeat offenders from preying on innocent victims. The ACLU’s concern for the rights of criminals is undermined as expanded DNA laws have already passed constitutional muster.”

To date, 19 other states have passed and implemented legislation authorizing the collection of DNA samples from felony arrestees. SB 2276 provides a phase-in schedule that expands DNA collection to all persons arrested for felony offenses by 2019. This comprehensive approach ensures that the funding and infrastructure is in place for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to implement this major policy change.

The legislation also adds protections for the disclosure of DNA records and samples, and creates penalties for intentionally disclosing, tampering or using DNA records for purposes other than those specified by law.

“Florida is a safer place today because of this legislation,” said Representative Snyder.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) voted today to pass the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (S. 896) aimed to assist those facing foreclosure. This legislation will aid homeowners at risk of foreclosure in the 16th district to refinance into mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Florida’s 16th district currently has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country.

"The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act will help homeowners facing foreclosure throughout the 16th district by helping homeowners to refinance to FHA insured mortgages,” said Rooney. “We must continue to fight the cause of the housing crisis we face today so it doesn’t happen again. This legislation is a good step towards helping to stabilize the housing market and keep people in their homes.”

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 will allow homeowners to refinance into 30-year, fixed rate mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Authority. The bill also extends the increase in FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000 through 2013 and it eases eligibility requirements for the Hope for Homeowners program to encourage participation.

Out2MartinCounty always gets the story correct because YOU WRITE THE STORY.

Contact the Out2 staff for details at 772-219-9700 for more information.