Each year the PA and Delaware Valley Chapter of CAI hosts an Annual Conference and Expo. This annual event draws several hundred participants who visit with dozens of exhibitors, attend educational sessions, hear dynamic speakers, and network with friends and colleagues from CAI.

As many of you know, in 2009 we co-hosted the first, and only, joint event with our sister organization, the Apartment Association of Greater Philadelphia.

After this year’s joint event, the Apartment Association decided not to be part of another joint effort in 2010. CAI accepted that suggestion.

CAI is now hard at work planning our 2010 Annual Conference and Expo.  and we want you to weigh in on where we should have this special event. We’ve been working hard the last few weeks visiting different event venues, and assessing the costs and benefits as well as the pros and cons of each location.

Your opinion is important to us. Please click the link below to take a short, 6 question survey about next year’s Annual Conference. And, stay tuned for what is sure to be another exciting event from CAI.

Click here to take the survey.

The Pocono Record published an article on Sunday July 5th that sums up the reasons why the state legislature just approved HR350 calling for a study of private communities in Pennsylvania.

The article quotes Reps. Scavello and Siptroth from the Poconos, as well CAI’s Executive Director Tony Campisi regarding the need and usefulness of this study which will take place in the coming months.  CAI believes this statewide study of private communities is the first of its kind in the nation.

The study will examine the number of association-governed communities in all 67 counties in the Commonwealth and measure the amount of state and municipal taxes paid by owners in these communities as well as the impact of any effort by the Commonwealth to provide access to public funds for infrastructure improvements within these communities. CAI will assist with the study.

Click here to read the article in the Pocono Record.

Stuck in Harrisburg in absence of a budget deal, lawmakers took up a host of Bills and Resolutions today at the state capitol. Among them was House Resolution 350 which was drafted in part by CAI.

The resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of common interest ownership communities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to studying infrastructure, taxes, etc., the study would also count and catalogue the number of community associations in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The data from this study, which we believe will be the first of its kind in the nation, will be invaluable to CAI as we continue to address the issues most important to community associations and residents who live in them.

CAI thanks Representative John Siptroth, (D-189, Monroe and Pike Counties) for his efforts to draft and pass this resolution.

For the full text of the resolution, please visit the legislative page of our website.

Please enjoy the July4th Holiday weekend!

On Tuesday, June 30, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Urban Affairs Committee took up House Resolution 350.  After brief remarks by the sponsor, Rep. John Siptroth (D-189) of Pike/Monroe County, the committee unanimously reported the resolution out of committee and sent it to the full House for a final vote. The House is tentatively scheduled to consider the resolution on Thursday, July 2, 2009.

The resolution, strongly supported by CAI, directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of the impact of common interest ownership communities on local governments and the Commonwealth, the challenges facing the residents and governing bodies of these common interest ownership communities and opportunities for the Commonwealth to assist local governments and common interest ownership communities to deliver adequate services to their residents at an affordable cost.

CAI was an active participant in the drafting of this resolution. CAI is prepared to work closely with the Joint State Goverment Commission to successfully conduct this study and we will use the data and results to help shape public policy that may impact common interest ownership communities in the Commonwealth, including efforts to provide a remedy to those who live in common interest ownership communities and who pay municipal taxes, but do not receive certain municipal services in return for municipal tax dollars.

Click here to visit our legislative page for the full text of the resolution.