The National Association of Home Builders announced in 2016 that the cost of compliance with rules for home building had increased by 30 percent over the previous five years. State and local governments commonly require builders to comply with construction codes, buy storm-water discharge permits, and pay impact fees (for water, sewer, roads, parks, schools, police, fire, and sometimes open space and affordable housing). Regulations account for $85,000 of the cost of the average new single-family home, according to the Association. One result, the Association argued, is that builders are now much less likely to build homes for the lower-cost, entry-level market.

a. In general, do you think we should cut back on the public services paid for, in part, by impact fees in order to reduce the cost of housing? Explain. 

b. Some Georgia jurisdictions imposed tree-planting requirements that reportedly raised costs per lot by $7,500 to $15,000. How would you vote on a rule requiring tree planting on all new home lots in your local area? Why?