According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans were down in July. Overall, New York State consumer confidence slightly increased. Click here to learn more.

After four years of development, the New York State Board of Real Estate unanimously voted to advance the proposed advertising regulations with minor technical changes.This is just the first step of possibly many, but it is an important one. Thank you to the NYSAR Article 12-A Working Group and Legislative Steering Committee for getting us to this important juncture. Click here to learn more.

The Cuomo administration has released the first quarter update to the 2012-2013 state budget. Thanks to spending estimates that have been revised upward, the state now faces a slightly larger projected deficit for the 2013-2014 budget. Click here to learn more.

Click here to read the entire Government Affairs Weekly Report.

Today's NYSAR Radio show, "Broker Liability Issues" will re-air tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8, 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.

Enroll in NAR's Broker Involvement Program and you could win an iPad or $50, while helping advance critical legislative issues affecting your industry. Click here to learn more.

Green 100, 200 and 300 will be offered August 22, 23 and 29, respectively, at the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS in Johnson City, NY. The Green designation teaches you the latest green technologies to help you serve a broader array of clients. Click here for more information or to register.

The New York State Society of Real Estate Appraisers is offering up to six hours of New York State appraiser and real estate continuing education credit on Thursday, September 6, at the Courtyard by Marriot in Lake Placid, NY. "FHA Inspections: What Every Agent and Appraiser Should Know" will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and "Tax Grievance: How to File a Complaint on an Assessment and Increase your Revenue" will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. Each course has been submitted for 3 hours of appraiser and real estate continuing education credit. Click here to learn more or to register.

Due to its popularity, the open enrollment month for NYSAR's new United Concordia plans has been extended through August 31. The United Concordia dental plan, administered by USI Affinity, features three plan options giving you a range in coverage and cost. Click here to learn more.

RPAC of NY is hosting "A Cruise to Die For," an interactive murder mystery RPAC fundraising event, on Monday, October 1, from 8 – 11 p.m. during the NYSAR Fall Business Meetings at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Tickets cost $50. Click here to learn more.

We are seeking auction item donations for the RPAC Murder Mystery fundraising event. If local boards or individual members would like to donate auction items to be featured, please contact Derick King dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238 with a description of the item and the value by Monday, September 24. Local boards and individual members will receive RPAC credit for auction item donations!

The August RPAC silent auction item is a Major League Baseball deluxe grill cover, available with a variety of MLB team logos. Bids must be placed by Friday, August 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.