Sends Letter Today Voicing Severe Concerns, Disapproval of FHFA’s Stalling of Programs Proven to Create Jobs

By Mara Lee

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) issued a letter in response to the most recent display of uncertainty by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in their handling of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program – a program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which could have provided thousands of good American jobs and helped meet our nation’s energy efficiency goals – if properly enacted.

Congresswoman Matsui’s most recent letter, sent today, was addressed to Mr. Edward DeMarco, the Acting Director of FHFA, in response to the letter FHFA issued Friday and their follow-up announcement made today regarding the future of the PACE programs. According to Mr. DeMarco, FHFA will not implement any assessments made after July 6, 2010. That means that only about 1,000 PACE mortgages in the nation will be backed by FHFA; and the very real opportunities for communities, utilities and homeowners to benefit from the promise that the PACE programs is still a step away from being actualized.

By Marie Brown

Good News for Would-Be Sacramento Area Real Estate Buyers

SACRAMENTO (www.OBSNews.com) – Home mortgage rates across the United States have dropped for the crucial fixed-rate mortgage that most consumers these days are clamoring for. According to mortgage giant Freddie Mac it’s the ninth straight week that fixed-rate mortgages have sunk to or stayed at a record low.

People vitally interested in the Sacramento real estate market, especially agents, brokers, and mortgage loan officers , not to mention the many prospective buyers and hopeful home sellers, are all hoping that the continued low rates can prop up the local market despite the expiration of some very popular homebuyer tax credits.

4.42% was the average rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage for the week ending August 19, 2010. This number hasn’t been achievd in the nearly 40 years that Freddie has been keeping track. Last week the number was 4.44%.

By Meghan Doran

San Francisco, CA (OBSNews.com) – NARAL Pro-Choice California today hailed last week's federal judge’s decision that will allow same-sex couples in California to get married. State Director Amy Everitt called the judge’s action another sign of progress following the recent landmark decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger that overturned Proposition 8.

“The pro-choice community shares a common bond with the LGBT community as we fight to be free from political interference in our most personal and private decisions, including marriage and the right to choose whether and when to have children,” Everitt said. “We celebrate this victory now and will stay committed to protecting reproductive rights and marriage equality, as demonstrated by our support for progressive candidates.”

By Mara Lee

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui hosted a “Small Business Access to Capital Workshop” at the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) regional office in Citrus Heights. The workshop provided small business owners an opportunity to meet with a dozen small business lenders and resource organizations from around the region to discuss issues facing them as they apply for expansion and operating loans.

“As we continue to put Sacramento’s economy on the path to recovery, this workshop will give small business owners the opportunity to sit down with lenders and learn how to competitively position themselves for loans,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are relying on them to create jobs and nurture our recovery. Right now, supporting Sacramento’s small business community is one of the best things we all can do to revitalize our region and put people back to work.”