According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans were down 0.1 points to 5.6 percent in June. Overall, New York State consumer confidence decreased 2.1 points. Click here to learn more.

The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF) is offering scholarships to REALTORS allowing them to take a national designation course for free. Applications must be received by August 1. Click here to learn more.

On June 29, 2012, the Senate and House passed the Flood Insurance Reform Act, bringing certainty to real estate transactions in more than 21,000 communities nationwide where flood insurance is required for a mortgage. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure within a few days. Click here to learn more.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that the Legislature is expected to return before the end of the year to prevent a scheduled tax increase for hundreds of thousands of owners of co-ops and condominiums in New York City. Click here to learn more.

The Broker Involvement Program (BIP) empowers brokers to alert their agents to key REALTOR issues in Congress such as a proposal to reduce the mortgage interest deduction benefit and the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program. Sign up for the BIP today and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free iPad. Click here to learn more.

Click here to read the entire Government Affairs Weekly Report.

Today's NYSAR Radio show, "Environmental Issues," will re-air tomorrow, Wednesday, July 11, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also listen to it any time after tomorrow by visiting NYSAR.com. To listen to the show during one of its regularly scheduled hours, click here.

Get involved and help guide the future of your state association by signing up for 2013 committee service. Committee sign up will be available online only between July 1 and July 31 at NYSAR.com. Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Green 100, 200 and 300 will be offered July 16, 18 and 20, respectively, at the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. The Green designation teaches you thelatest green technologies to help you serve a broader array of clients. Click here for more information or to register.

As of July 1, 2012, the NYSAR dental program has transitioned carriers from MetLife to United Concordia, giving NYSAR members three plan options with lower rates and orthodontia coverage. Click here to learn more.

NYSAR's partnership with MongoFAX gives you free access to their fax-to-email service, which allows you to fax any paper-based document directly to any email address. To start using the service, simply download NYSAR's designated MongoFAX cover sheet, fill in the appropriate email addresses and fax your document to the fax number listed at the bottom of the cover page. Within moments, you'll receive a confirmation email with the contents of your fax as an attachment. Click here to learn more.

The July RPAC silent auction item is rechargeable power stand for the iPhone. Bids must be placed by Tuesday, July 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.