March 11,2021-
Lumber cost spike is raising home prices
Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Biden and the Department of Justice on 
March 4 urging the administration to respond to rising building materials prices and supply shortages, particularly, lumber, that are harming the housing market and threaten the economic recovery.
March 4 urging the administration to respond to rising building materials prices and supply shortages, particularly, lumber, that are harming the housing market and threaten the economic recovery.Using data provided by Nation Association of Home Builders, the lawmakers stated that “shortages of lumber have nearly tripled the price of lumber since mid-April 2020, causing the price of a new single-family home to increase by more than $24,000.”
Lumber futures are near $10000 per thousand board feet after spiking over $1000 in February. The current price this winter compares to $360 this time a year ago.
NAHB is urging the Commerce Department to investigate why lumber production — particularly sawmill output — remains at such low levels during a period of prolonged high demand.
Reps. Costa and Arrington mirrored our concerns and stressed the need to boost sawmill activity in their letter to Biden and the Department of Justice. “Unfortunately, this unprecedented price increase on new homeowners, as well as home builders, will persist until new sawmills come online and current mills re-open and operate at full capacity,” the letter stated. “To address this issue, we ask your Administration to facilitate a discussion with all stakeholders, including sawmills, home builders, loggers, and distributors, to ensure all needs are met in a timely manner.”
Tule Indian dispensary still not open as Tachi Palace has no plans to sell pot
Local tribes are expanding their casino businesses but pot sales may not be part of it. The Tule Indians announced almost a year ago they would open a dispensary near their Eagle Feather gas station on Hwy 190. Called The Eh-Lo Dispensary, it was expected to open by April of last year at 31071 Hwy 190.
But that never happened and the project is on hold says a tribal member, no doubt due in part to COVID-19.
Still, the Tule Indian economic development office is vying to open a dispensary in Porterville – based on a pending city council decision. Of course, the huge Eagle Mountain Casino project is in the works near the airport but there is no word if pot will be on the menu there.
Meanwhile near Lemoore, there are “no plans to sell cannabis”
on the rancheria,says the administration at the Tachi Palace where they are undertaking a massive expansion of their complex.
Kern oil industry fights back
The Kern County Board of Supervisor this week approved a plan to fast-track drilling of some 40,000 new oil and gas wells over the next 15 years over objections by environmental groups. The Bakersfield Californian reported that in the aftermath of the 5-0 vote, local oil producers praised