Social Issues

This category contains 43 posts

SNCJ Spotlight: Feds bolster state efforts to help underwater homeowners

Barely a month into President Barack Obama’s presidency, his administration announced a major effort to help millions of underwater homeowners who owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth refinance into lower interest rate mortgages. But the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, fell short, in large part because it came with numerous … Continue reading

Once around the statehouse lightly

BETTER NOT TRY THIS IN WISCONSIN: Public employee unions and pro-business forces are the lions and hyenas of the political realm, constantly snipping and snapping at one another in an effort to gain the upper hand. The latest dust-up comes via California Assemblyman Roger Dickinson. Although California public workers are considered to already have some … Continue reading

Bird’s eye view: Foreclosure rates picking up

Foreclosures were up 3 percent nationally in January, according to RealtyTrac Inc. A total of 210,941 homes either received default notices, were scheduled for auction or were repossessed over the course of the month, which translates to about one in every 624 households. Nevada, with 5,931 foreclosed properties, had the highest rate, one in 198 … Continue reading