Election 2007: Candidates Who Protect Your Business

This fall's elections is about who runs local government-city council, county commissioners, county executives-those who are responsible for decisions that directly impact real estate in our communities including land use decisions, zoning and development regulations. The decisions they make determine housing opportunities and economic vitality so that our businesses can thrive. Washington REALTORS® 2007 RPAC Endorsed Candidates

Fire Prevention Order

Pursuant to 50 CFR 27.95, the following acts are prohibited on lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the Conboy Lake, McNary, Umatilla, Toppenish, McKay Creek, Cold Springs, and Columbia National Wildlife Refuges and the Hanford Reach National Monument until rescinded by the Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex.

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using fire, including campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires including both charcoal briquette and gas stoves.
2. Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle.
3. Tossing burning material, such as a cigarette, any place where it may start a fire.
4. Operating a motorcycle, ATV, or other type of small engine without an approved and working spark arrester.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both. This order becomes effective at 12:01 AM on July 14, 2007. Gregory M. Hughes Project Leader

Lawmakers Press to Preserve PNNL Use Permit

Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Doc Hastings, along with Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Norm Dicks, are pressing the Department of Energy to preserve the Pacific Northwest National Lab's Use Permit as a requirement for any new Lab management contract. “PNNL is a vital part of the Tri-Cities community and the inclusion of the Use Permit is an integral part of the lab's future success," Senator Murray said. "We must maintain the Use Permit for the future innovation, economy and competitiveness of our region.”“The impacts of eliminating the Use Permit are serious for the Lab, for local economic growth and for taxpayers getting the most out of their investment. The bottom line is ensuring competition in government contracting should not result in a diminished Lab through loss of the Use Permit,” said Hastings. In a letter to Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Clay Sell, the lawmakers expressed their strong support for continuation of the Use Permit and for a timely resolution to the contract competition. They noted in the letter that the Use Permit “creates innovation, economic development, jobs, and has been a clear success for the American taxpayer.” The lawmakers said the Use Permit is widely recognized as a tremendous success and is critical to the future of the Lab under any contractor. In February of 2006, DOE announced that it would re-compete the contract for management and operation of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Mortgage Rates Fall For Second Consecutive Week According To Freddie Mac Weekly Survey

McLean, VA - Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.67 percent with an average 0.4 point for the week ending June 28, 2007, down from last week when it averaged 6.69 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.78 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 6.34 percent with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 6.37 percent. A year ago, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.43 percent.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 6.30 percent this week, with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 6.31 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 6.39 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 5.65 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.66 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.82 percent.