Kansas Taxpayers Carry the Costs for HI Registration Law

[James H. Bushart]

Well, we are a week after the filing deadline and the prediction made by Jeff Barnes and his real estate sales accomplices (who fleeced the Kansas legislature with a law with no demonstrated need) that there were enough home inspectors to carry the financial burden to the state....was false.

93 registered home inspectors as of 1/6/10, many of whom are struggling to stay in business until Spring.

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

Jim,

What does this have to do with the Kansas Taxpayer??????

[Gary Farnsworth]

Yep. I believe the KAR predicted about 250 to 300 inspectors would register. I also hear that the state of Kansas will cut funding to one of my favorite charities, the Olathe Temporary Lodging for Children. About a $5000,000 cut. If the state cuts that funding, and gives Mr. Barnes one dollar, all lawmakers will hear from me.

Senator Brownlee told me personally that she saw no reasons not to join, and that it would not hurt my business. I have one inspection scheduled so far this month; in Missouri. I cannot survive on that, and I have been in business for 8 years. I know that we are all suffering here in Kansas.

Perhaps if Mr. Barnes wants money, he needs to look at the KAR for assistance. Wouldn't that be an ethics violation?

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

Gary,

Is it slow because of the BILL????

[Gary Farnsworth]

It is probably a combo of the weather, economy, etc. No Kansas calls as yet. Just sticking it out, typing, and taking NACHI CE's, end of year tax stuff, up-dating web site, marketing plan, all that stuff you can't do in the spring. Man, I have lived here for over 50 years, and cannot remember the last time it was this cold, for this long.

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

Thursday will be -30 below!! with blowing snow!!! Not even going to the gym on Thursday!!

[Gary Farnsworth]

It is going to be a killer. I hope my kid's vehicles start; they have so far. I cannot believe that Missouri schools are all closed, and Kansas schools are still open. Oh, the weather outside is frightfull.................

[Paul Sabados]

Originally Posted by bhartley

Jim,

What does this have to do with the Kansas Taxpayer??????

Who is going to have to make up the difference that Barnes quoted at being able to be self sufficient at 40 - 50,000.00? If they get 100 inspectors signed up its not going to be enough. So then what? An emergency session to up the licensing rates and a little extra sur-tax to be levied?

[Gary Farnsworth]

I just heard that KCKS public schools are out of money and short of paying teacher salaries. I think Kansas could use this $20,000 that Mr. Barnes just collected.

Lawmakers should have included engineers, appraiers, insurance agents, home builders, and every repair person that is recommended by RE agents. That would have solved some of the state's budget problems.

Opps. KCKS, Gardner, Shawnee Mission schools closed tomorrow. More blowing snow. Perhaps I can take my snow blower around and make some boat money. Schools are already closing, and it hasn't started snowing yet.

[Andrew Shick]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Lawmakers should have included engineers, appraiers, insurance agents, home builders, and every repair person that is recommended by RE agents. That would have solved some of the state's budget problems.

Lawmakers should have pulled their heads out and nixed this whole ridiculous mess to begin with.

The weather is the business killer right now - not the inspector registration.
I haven't talked to a single local agent who knows or cares anything about the new law.
I called the State of KS yesterday to inquire about some of the discrepancies in the wording of the law, and to find out the status of the law while it's being corrected.
I got transferred to no less than 4 Dept's., always with the same result (they had no idea what I was talking about - but wanted to transfer me to someone else who 'might' know), and was eventually given the phone number to the Councilors office at K-State to see what they might know about it, you know, for people who might want to become a home inspector.
I know this has been said before, but I can't find anyone at the State level who knows or cares anything about this law. There appears to be no oversight whatsoever.
I'm no fan of Government to begin with, so this type of clusteruknowwhat drives me a little crazy, but it makes me laugh too.

[Gary Farnsworth]

The board chairman is over-sighting himself. I wonder where the money is all going? Who is the accountant, and who is watching him? Who handles the check book? It makes you wonder what these lawmakers are thinking. I am going to vote for the guy who is NOT in office, always. That, will be change that I can believe in.

[Andrew Shick]

So what's the solution?
Letters and phone calls don't seem to be working, so really the only other option is disobedience, which seems to be the route that several hundred Inspectors have taken...

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by ashick

So what's the solution?
Letters and phone calls don't seem to be working, so really the only other option is disobedience, which seems to be the route that several hundred Inspectors have taken...

Hopefully, you will be joining us in Jefferson City on 1/14/10 to help us stop the spread of this disease at the border...

[Andrew Shick]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Hopefully, you will be joining us in Jefferson City on 1/14/10 to help us stop the spread of this disease at the border...

I plan on going - not to get too personal, but my Grandfather is in the hospital right now, and his prognosis changes daily. Obviously a turn for the worse could keep me here, but otherwise I'll be there.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by ashick

I plan on going - not to get too personal, but my Grandfather is in the hospital right now, and his prognosis changes daily. Obviously a turn for the worse could keep me here, but otherwise I'll be there.

Here's to your grandfather's recovery, first, resulting in your presence. It will be great to have so many of us in one spot. We used to have training meetings with our NACHI chapter in St. Louis, but not since '06.