Despite the economic weakness of the last few years, I’m optimistic that the economy will continue to improve during the rest of 2010. We sincerely hope homeowners take advantage of the excellent tax credit program for purchasing energy-efficient windows that expires at the end of this year. That could have a very positive effect on the economy and reduce energy consumption. The Home Star program has evidently made it into a funding bill in Congress, but it won’t come to a vote until later in the year, if at all. It’s far too soon to know what exactly it will do for the construction industry, but I believe it can reinvigorate the U.S. economy if it passes. The people who make, sell and install replacement windows and doors are virtually all small businesses that create actual, good jobs.

Personally, I believe government is too big and that too often it makes bad decisions. Yet I also believe that programs like Energy Star – that reduce energy usage in homes and buildings, make people more comfortable in their homes, improve the value of their homes, and create real lasting jobs -- are worth the investment. I’m sure we’ll all be closely watching the elections this Fall. Who knows. Maybe voters will send the kind of message to Congress that will actually stimulate consumer confidence— although it’s hard to know for sure what will happen.