Home builders need help

RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina Home Builders Association plans to push its case on why a federal economic stimulus package should help their industry by encouraging buyers.

The heads of construction companies from Raleigh and Matthews will press their point in a teleconference with reporters today.

They'll be joined by David Crowe, the chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders.

The Washington-based builders' trade association wants an aid package of at least $100 billion. The group's wish list includes tax credits of up to $22,000 for home purchases and subsidies that would bring mortgage rates to as low as 3 percent for the first half of this year.