CRI seeks public, legislative support for home improvement
11 Jul '09
2 min read
Legislation known as the HIRE Act, for Home Improvement Revitalize the Economy, is sponsored by two powerful Georgia representatives, Congressmen Henry Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.) and Nathan Deal, (R-Ga). CRI Vice-President Fran Hurd says Congressman Johnson, the bill's lead sponsor and his staff, "have worked diligently to draft this legislation." Congressman Deal has signed on as the Republican lead co-sponsor.
The bill, which proposes tax credits for home improvement purchases, is supported by a broad- reaching coalition of home furnishings and building products manufacturers, including the Carpet and Rug Institute, American Home Furnishings Alliance, WFCA, Hardwood Federation, International Wood Products Association, International Sleep Products Association, and Resilient Floor Covering Association, among others.
The bill can trace its beginnings to a discussion in Congressman Johnson's office during CRI's most recent congressional visit. The proposed legislation would allow families to claim tax credits against the purchase of home improvement products, as much as $2000 for a family making up to $300,000 per year, and as much as $500 per year for lower income families. Credit amounts would double for products meeting LEED, Green Globes, Green Label Plus, FloorScore, or other recognized environmental standards.
The coalition of supporters is urging individuals and businesses to express their support for the HIRE Act by writing to their elected representatives, and they have provided a summary of the bill and a sample letter to help simplify the communication process. The letter describes the HIRE Act as a "temporary, timely, and targeted effort to put money in the hands of consumers and help them improve their homes."