Latest news with #MichaelBennet
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senate pushes bill that would give disaster victims six months of mortgage relief as they rebuild
A new bill, introduced in the Senate on Thursday, aims to give natural disaster victims at least six months of mortgage relief – which comes as more Americans experience damage and loss from natural disasters and severe weather. Under the 'Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act,' homeowners with federally-backed loans located in areas declared disaster zones would be able to seek relief from paying mortgages for 180 days without accumulating interest or penalties. The legislation also gives people an opportunity to apply for a 180-day extension. Mortgage payments do not automatically pause in times of disaster. Those whose homes are destroyed or damaged can request their mortgage servicer to forbear their payments temporarily. But the uncertainty around mortgage forbearance can add more stress during a fraught time. Democratic Senators Adam Schiff of California, whose state sees deadly wildfires every year, and Michael Bennet of Colorado, whose state experiences wildfires and severe flooding, co-sponsored the bill. In a statement, Schiff said families in Los Angeles that were impacted by the wildfires in January are 'still struggling' to rebuild from the disaster. More than 9,000 homes were destroyed by the blazing fires that destroyed parts of the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles. 'As natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, it is critical that we pave a path to stability for homeowners in times of crisis,' Schiff said, adding that the issue impacts Republican-led and Democratic-led states. A near-identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year. Bennet's home state has also experienced its fair share of wildfires and other disasters. Residents in Boulder County lived through the most destructive fire in Colorado history in 2022 when the Marshall Fire broke out, destroying at least 1,000 homes and hundreds of other structures. 'Coloradans know all too well how difficult it is to pick up the pieces and move forward after catastrophic wildfires,' Bennet said in a statement. 'When mounting financial and emotional costs of recovery weigh on families, they should be able to take time to put their lives back together and rebuild their homes.' Mortgage delinquencies rise in the wake of a natural disaster, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association shows. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the delinquency rate rose six basis points from the third quarter and 10 basis points from the same time the previous year. The largest quarterly increases occurred in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, all of which experienced devastation after Hurricane Helene struck in September. The bill is endorsed by the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, National Low Income Housing Center, Consumer Watchdog, National Housing Law Project, and more.
The Independent
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Senate pushes bill that would give disaster victims six months of mortgage relief as they rebuild
A new bill, introduced in the Senate on Thursday, aims to give natural disaster victims at least six months of mortgage relief – which comes as more Americans experience damage and loss from natural disasters and severe weather. Under the 'Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act,' homeowners with federally-backed loans located in areas declared disaster zones would be able to seek relief from paying mortgages for 180 days without accumulating interest or penalties. The legislation also gives people an opportunity to apply for a 180-day extension. Mortgage payments do not automatically pause in times of disaster. Those whose homes are destroyed or damaged can request their mortgage servicer to forbear their payments temporarily. But the uncertainty around mortgage forbearance can add more stress during a fraught time. Democratic Senators Adam Schiff of California, whose state sees deadly wildfires every year, and Michael Bennet of Colorado, whose state experiences wildfires and severe flooding, co-sponsored the bill. In a statement, Schiff said families in Los Angeles that were impacted by the wildfires in January are 'still struggling' to rebuild from the disaster. More than 9,000 homes were destroyed by the blazing fires that destroyed parts of the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles. 'As natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, it is critical that we pave a path to stability for homeowners in times of crisis,' Schiff said, adding that the issue impacts Republican-led and Democratic-led states. A near-identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year. Bennet's home state has also experienced its fair share of wildfires and other disasters. Residents in Boulder County lived through the most destructive fire in Colorado history in 2022 when the Marshall Fire broke out, destroying at least 1,000 homes and hundreds of other structures. 'Coloradans know all too well how difficult it is to pick up the pieces and move forward after catastrophic wildfires,' Bennet said in a statement. 'When mounting financial and emotional costs of recovery weigh on families, they should be able to take time to put their lives back together and rebuild their homes.' Mortgage delinquencies rise in the wake of a natural disaster, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association shows. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the delinquency rate rose six basis points from the third quarter and 10 basis points from the same time the previous year. The largest quarterly increases occurred in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, all of which experienced devastation after Hurricane Helene struck in September. The bill is endorsed by the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, National Low Income Housing Center, Consumer Watchdog, National Housing Law Project, and more.
Forbes
26-07-2025
- Forbes
Colorado Innovates Wildlife Crossing System To Deter Crashes
Colorado Department of Transportation staff views remote camera photos of wildlife crossing under a ... More highway structure. As Colorado leaders recently toured a half-way point on building a massive overpass wildlife crossing above Interstate 25, state police were warning drivers about the dangers of crashing into animals after two recent fatalities. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) joined with state officials recently to see what is billed as among the world's largest wildlife crossing built over a major highway. Located in Douglas County, the Colorado Department of Transportation is managing the project called the I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass. The goal is to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions with such big game as elk, pronghorn and mule deer by creating a six-lane-wide overpass. The location is where large movements of big game animals occur. Bennet commented July 25 in a social media post about his visit to the Greenland Wildlife Overpass project: 'Colorado continues to be a model for the rest of the Western United States. By building the largest wildlife overpass in the U.S., we are protecting wildlife and keeping Colorado drivers safe.' Rendering of the wildlife overpass above I-25. The overpass was designed with wide sloped entrances that gradually rise above the highway to appeal to big game. Elk prefer traveling in wide open areas and avoid tunnels and underpasses. The $15-million wildlife overpass is expected to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions by 90% on I-25. After completion slated for December, the structure will compliment an existing I-25 wildlife crossing system of underpasses and fences and connect 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of the interstate. Images of wildlife using Colorado's wildlife crossing underpasses. The 200-foot-wide, 209-foot-long overpass will link into the state's current 18-mile wildlife crossing mitigation system called the I-25 South Gap project. This area is between Denver and Colorado Springs. Before Colorado created its wildlife crossing mitigation system, drivers along that stretch of I-25 crashed into an average of one wild animal per day trying to pass through the highway corridor. Each day some 87,000 motorists drive on that 18-mile section of I-25 just south of the Denver metropolitan region. With abundant animals and people living among its mountain areas, Colorado sees about 4,000 wildlife-vehicle crashes yearly that cause $80 million in damages. These accidents also result in injuries and fatalities to people and wildlife. Wildlife killed include moose, deer, black bears, elk, mountain lions, raccoons, hawks, coyotes, porcupines, red foxes, bobcats, owls, rabbits, Canadian geese, beavers and badgers. Although the new overpass is mainly meant for larger animals it will likely be used by other wildlife as has been the case with Colorado's wildlife underpasses. Animal footprints at a Colorado wildlife crossing. A variety of animals have been seen on cameras using the underpasses, including wild turkeys. Colorado State Patrol have held a summer public awareness campaign about wildlife-vehicle crashes to deter collisions. Already this year through July 17, state troopers have responded to 1,600 animal-involved crashes causing property damage in 95% of the accidents. In these collisions, 63 people sustained injuries and two died. Shortly before midnight on July 11, a driver collided with a moose before three other vehicles hit the animal. One of the drivers lost control of the vehicle and died. Then on July 20 just before 6 a.m., a motorist swerved to avoid crashing into a deer and veered off the road. The vehicle rolled and the driver was fatally injured. 'Drivers in the mountain communities know to expect wildlife, but these animals can show up in more unexpected locations everywhere in our state,' Col. Matthew Packard, state patrol chief, noted in a press statement. The Colorado State Patrol has determined the third most common factor in all vehicle crashes last year were wildlife collisions. In 2024, troopers investigated 3,573 of these wildlife-vehicle crashes. Statistics showed 96% of those crashes last year resulted in damaged vehicles, while the majority of the injured wildlife died. 'According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the insurance industry pays nearly $1.1 billion yearly in claims for all wildlife collisions nationwide. The average property damage cost of these crashes is estimated at over $3,000,' Colorado State Patrol says. Colorado troopers have listed steps drivers can take to mitigate accidents with wildlife. They suggest motorists: When encountering wildlife while driving on a roadway, police say the most important advice is to maintain control of your vehicle.
CBS News
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Colorado construction crews build wildlife overpass over I-25 in Douglas County
Colorado construction crews are building a wildlife overpass over I-25 in Douglas County. The overpass is being built by the Colorado Department of Transportation in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Douglas County and other partners. The overpass will cross I-25 near the Greenland Interchange between Larkspur and Monument. According to CDOT, the overpass will be one of the largest wildlife overpass structures in the U.S. It's being built for big game animals such as elk, mule deer and pronghorn. CDOT officials said the overpass is located to address the nearly 4-mile gap from other wildlife crossings and will complete the wildlife crossing system of underpasses and fencing as part of the I-25 South Gap project, which spans 18 miles of I-25 from Castle Rock to Monument. Sen. Michael Bennet was at the construction site and said the project was made possible because of the infrastructure bill passed during the Biden administration. "I can think of many projects between here and across Floyd Hill and to Southwest Colorado where we see the money from that bill at work, and it's a reminder of what happens when America invests in America again," said Bennet. The overpass will span six lanes of traffic on I-25, connecting 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of I-25. The final bridge structure will measure 204 feet wide and will be constructed to invite wildlife to use the crossing. Transportation officials said while smaller animals will use an underpass, bigger game prefer the wide open space of an overpass. Smaller animals have also been known to use the overpass, as well. According to CDOT, the overpass is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes along that stretch of I-25 by 90%. Before the overpass, transportation officials said there was an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash a day along that corridor. The project costs $15 million and is expected to be completed by December, according to CDOT's website.
Axios
16-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Weiser holds fundraising lead in Colorado governor's race
The Democratic contest for Colorado governor is quickly becoming a high-dollar affair, with both major candidates raising more than $1 million last quarter. Why it matters: The contributions are an indicator of a candidate's support and the basis for a well-organized statewide campaign. By the numbers: Attorney General Phil Weiser holds the advantage one year from the primary election with $2.5 million available to spend, campaign reports posted Tuesday show. His rival, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, is playing catch-up, entering the race four months after Weiser. Bennet set a new record with $1.7 million in donations from April 1 to June 30. But he has only $1.3 million in the bank. No Republican gubernatorial candidate raised more than $35,000 last quarter. The intrigue: The attorney general's race is the most crowded Democratic contest, with five high-profile contestants. Secretary of State Jena Griswold leads the pack with $698,000 in cash after raising $808,000 in her first three months as a candidate. Attorney David Seligman and former U.S. prosecutor Hetal Doshi raised $402,000 and $369,000, respectively, in the same period District Attorney Michael Dougherty ($120,000) and former state House Speaker Crisanta Duran ($32,092) finished at the bottom.
