flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Mass. governor proposes real estate transfer fee hike for climate resiliency projects

Codes and Standards

Mass. governor proposes real estate transfer fee hike for climate resiliency projects

Opposed by real estate and trade groups, plan could generate $1 billion in next decade.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | February 1, 2019
Boston, Mass.

Courtesy Pixabay

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has proposed hiking the state’s real estate transfer fee by 50% to fund climate resiliency projects.

The plan would raise more than $1 billion in the next decade for projects to make cities and towns more resilient to the effects of climate change. The popular Republican governor’s plan has encountered resistance from real estate industry leaders and trade groups.

Baker’s plan would add nearly $1,200 in taxes to the sale of a $500,000 home, with the costs paid by the seller. The increase would raise from $130 million to $150 million annually toward a Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund that cities and towns could tap through grants, loans, and other means for local projects.

Baker said that there is no other program that will raise the funds needed to deal with the intensity and frequency of storms as the effects of climate change increase.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2018

Parking garages in N.Y. State will have to be inspected every three years

Professional engineer must assess conditions.

Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2018

To build water-efficient cities, water managers and urban planners must coordinate better

Lack of time and resources, and practitioners not in habit of working together hamper efforts.

Codes and Standards | Nov 26, 2018

All LEED-certified buildings eligible for LEED recertification

Projects must submit 12 months of data demonstrating continued or improved performance.

Codes and Standards | Nov 20, 2018

OSHA publishes updates to crane operator certification requirements

Long-delayed rules accept certifications by type or type and capacity.

Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2018

Guide offers understanding of elements that create successful multi-floor communal spaces

CTBUH technical document analyzes how to approach tall urban habitat.

Codes and Standards | Nov 16, 2018

2018 International Green Construction Code released

Updated version helps governments streamline code development and adoption.

Codes and Standards | Nov 15, 2018

New versions of DOE’s EnergyPlus engine and the OpenStudio software development kit released

New offerings resolve over 70 bugs and offer new features.

Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2018

Obsolete safety standards may have been used in cleanup of former naval shipyard

San Francisco redevelopment site work may have been racked by fraud.

Codes and Standards | Nov 13, 2018

New York City’s new construction safety requirements are delayed

Some contractors say they weren’t ready for ‘massive initiative’.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021