[Brandon]

A well-organized schedule that meets the educational prerequisites, uses relevant materials, and provides ample practice is crucial for the Utah Principal Lending Manager (PLM) Examination.

Here’s your tailored roadmap based on the objectives and resources:

Business Structures & Corporate Governance Exam Prerequisites

Qualifications:

The following eligibility prerequisites must be fulfilled:

• Employment as a mortgage MLO for at least 3 years with 45 residential first lien mortgages within the last five years.
• This is two years of such work and one year of more advanced work, e.g., management or underwriting. Check this with the Lending Manager Experience Verification Form.
• Fulfillment of 40-hour Utah PLM pre-licensing education for principal lending managers (not NMLS approved, state authorized by the Utah Division of Real Estate).
• If not completed previously, the NMLS National Exam with UST Module must be taken.

Exam Structure:

Pearson VUE gives the PLM exam covering Utah mortgage law and practice.

• Pearson Vue also tests general industry and specialized knowledge of Utah and federal laws, and manages and supervises residential mortgage lending offices.
• For specific content, see the section of this handbook.

Complete 40 hours of instruction: Pre-licensing education.

• Complete a course approved by the Utah Division of Real Estate (not NMLS-approved), for example:

OnCourse Learning:

• Offers a comprehensive 40-hour online course on Utah mortgage laws, covering state and federal regulations and industry practices.

Mortgage Educators:

• An industry veteran, David Luna, teaches a seven-chapter self-study course that includes general mortgage knowledge and office management. The course often includes PLM test prep.
• Ensure the provider issues a signed and stamped Education Certifying Document, which is needed as ID at the Pearson VUE Testing Center.

Study Tip:

• During the course, focus on Utah statutes (Utah Residential Mortgage Practices & Licensing Act) and federal laws (SAFE Act, GLBA), and make a summary sheet and detailed notes for quick access.

Utilize Customized Study Resources

Utah PLM Candidate Handbook:

This contains the topics to be covered in the Utah PLM exam and is available at Pearson VUE:

• Utah statutes and regulations.
• The mortgage industry.
• Supervision and office management.
• Related federal law.
• It can be retrieved from home.pearsonvue.com (yumpu.com).

Mortgage Educators:

Offers a test prep course that includes three exams with 175 practice questions and detailed explanations.

Additional Resources:

Check the Utah Division of Real Estate’s website (realestate.utah.gov) for the Lending Manager Checklist and other relevant statutes, administrative rules, and forms.

Practice with Sample Questions

• All practice makes perfect. To increase your chances of success, complete as many practice questions as possible.
• Familiarize yourself with the exam format and content.

Where to find practice questions:

Mortgage Educators:

175 Utah-specific questions, complete with explanations, are available on the platform.

OnCourse Learning:

Has around 200 questions available to its users through its test prep course.

Online Forums:

Gustan Cho Associates’ GCA Forums and many others like it host sample PLM questions such as:

• Q: If a PLM is terminated for any reason or voluntarily exits, what action must the mortgage company take?
• A: Ford, cease all operations until a new PLM is appointed.
• Q: After an audit, what is the timeframe for notifying a borrower of any fees deemed incorrectly billed?
• A: 30 days to notify, 60 days to refund.

Study tip: Reinforce learning by simulating exam conditions. Focus on timed practice and review for Utah-specific laws and scenarios.

Establish a Study Plan

Estimated Schedule:

Work with experience to complete 40–86 hours over 4 to 8 weeks, allocating time in the following manner:

• 40 40-hour course with reviewing materials requires 2 to 3 weeks.
• Mock exams and practice questions can span a 2 to 4-week period.

Weekday Administrative Schedule:

• Reviewing course notes and statutes takes 1 to 2 hours.
• Hours dedicated to practice questions start at 1 hour and increase to 2 hours closer to the exam day.
• Weekly full-length practice exams help track progress.

Key Concentration Areas:

• Eligibility requirements related to the Utah Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Act and the High-Cost Home Loan Act.
• Know federal laws, TILA, RESPA, GLBA, and other important documents.
• Supervision compliance includes responding to requests from the Utah Department of Financial Institutions within 10 business days.
• Key terms and formulas, such as the cost approach to value appraisal, can be remembered using flashcards.
• Total appraisal value equals the land value plus construction costs minus depreciation.

Prepare Exhibit and Schedule for the Exam

Scheduling:

• Confirm eligibility for booking examinations by contacting Pearson VUE at 1-800-274-7292 or their website, home.pearsonvue.com.
• Present a valid certification and ID document to the testing center.

Exam Day:

• All required documents necessitate a timely arrival.
• Visit Pearson VUE’s site for tutorials on preparing for the exam, as it is computer-based.
• You can retake the failed section within 90 days if you pass one portion (state or national).

Post-Exam:

• Your application for the license should be filed through NMLS and submitted within 5 days after you have passed with the required documents, which are the Lending Manager Checklist, Experience Documentation Form, NMLS fee payment proof, and completed forms.
• The score is considered valid for 90 days.

Further Recommendations

Join Study Groups:

• Participate in forums or network with other mortgage professionals in your area to leverage shared knowledge.

Stay Updated:

• The Utah Division of Real Estate is responsible for any modifications to the licensing rules or exam content, so check their website regularly.

Manage Stress:

• Use relaxation strategies and sleep well before the exam.

Verify Experience Early:

• Submitting experience documentation to the Utah DRE before an exam will confirm eligibility and prevent funds from being lost due to non-refundable fees.

Recommended Resources

Courses:

• OnCourse Learning: 40-hour PLM course and test prep.
• Mortgage Educators: 40-hour self-study and test prep.
• Practice Questions: Beyond the two above, look at forums such as Gustan Cho Associates.

Official Sites:

• Utah Division of Real Estate (realestate.utah.gov) for statutes and forms.
• Pearson VUE (home.pearsonvue.com) for the handbook and scheduling.
• Handbook: Utah PLM Candidate Handbook through Pearson VUE.

Post-Exam Steps

Submissions include, but are not limited to, the Lending Manager checklist and experience documentation within five days post-exam to DRE.

• Submission of the Notarized Experience Documentation Form.
• Payment of the invoiced amount provided by NMLS.
• Social security verification forms from the testing center.
• Processing may take over 60 days, so apply soon.
• In any case, the exam score will expire after 90 days.
• Completing the 40-hour course, using specific study guides, sample questions, and maintaining a steady study schedule will ensure you pass the Utah PLM Exam.

For more information, visit realestate.utah.gov or call the Utah Division of Real Estate at 801-530-6747.

Ask if you need help crafting personalized study schedules, additional practice materials, or tailored recommendations!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqaSEx-4qWU

[Brandon]

As of the latest information, there are some conversations in several states to eliminate or reduce property taxes in some form, but these discussions are part of larger tax reform debates and may never be fully realized. Here’s a summary of where these discussions have taken place:

Texas:

• Texas has been a hotbed for discussing property tax reform.
• There are caps proposed that do not allow for the complete abolition of the property tax.
• As you mentioned, most lean towards shifting the tax burden to other sources, such as sales taxes.
• However, these proposals tend to be very controversial and often encounter a lot of opposition.

Florida:

• Florida has also seen proposals for reducing or eliminating property taxes, especially for homesteaded properties.
• Governors and legislators have been ready to forgo tax revenue as long as the loss can be compensated through higher sales taxes and other revenue sources.
• In any case, these plans are often met with resistance and have not yet been able to abolish property taxes fully.

Illinois:

• The increase in property taxes in Illinois has prompted efforts to reduce the burden of property taxes.
• Discussion has centered on property tax rebates, freezes, and caps, while less attention has been paid to complete elimination.

California:

• The leasing of lands in California has resulted in numerous attempts to alleviate property taxes, which stem from amendments to Proposition 13, a bill that caps property taxes.
• Less common but still a hot topic to debate is finding a solution to abolishing property taxes entirely.

Nevada:

• Nevada has suggested reducing property taxes, particularly on businesses, to stimulate international business investment.
• The redistribution of the tax burden to sales taxes has also been suggested.

Arizona:

• Property tax reduction proposals in Arizona are usually part of more comprehensive tax reform initiatives.
• While ongoing efforts are made to ease access to property ownership, the complete abolition of property taxes is less common.

Oklahoma:

• Several property tax proposals in Oklahoma have focused on granting more favorable terms to senior citizens and lower-income homeowners.
• While there is less discussion around the total abolition of property taxes, there is a trend towards offering tax relief to more targeted groups.

Answering your question concerning conspiracy theories, eliminating property taxes and replacing them with sales taxes does not fall under conspiracy theories; it is a genuine controversy within state legislatures. Still, the proposals and their specifics are too diverse to be politically or economically practical.

Some states actively discuss the possible elimination or reduction of property taxes, but total elimination receives far less support. Replacing them with sales taxes or other revenue sources is part of the conversation. Still, the results tend to differ from one state to another.

[Brandon]

I am originally from Chicago. I grew up in Chicago, was educated in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, Illinois, and went to college and graduated from a college in Chicago with a bachelor’s degree. I then left the state and lived in multiple states due to my career. However, I am considering moving back to Northern Illinois or Southeastern Wisconsin. I have read about the political chaos in both states,, how Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker drove the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois underground to a shithole and how Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin politicians threw the beautiful state of Wisconsin to become one of the most liberal shitholes in the country. Can you tell me which state is better to move to and which city, town, or county is best to relocate to from Denver, Colorado? I heard about a judge getting arrested in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and how both states (Illinois and Wisconsin) are liberal states and true hellholes, as well as sanctuary states. Is the FBI and the United States Department of Justice going to arrest mayors of sanctuary states like Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker, and Tony Ebers? What is going on with this county?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aa-eS-2-RWU

[Brandon]

How to Teach French Bulldogs Skateboarding

Bonding with your French Bulldog by teaching him how to ride a skateboard offers physical and mental stimulation. Here are the steps to make it a fun and bonding experience.

Required Items

Skateboard:

• Get a flat board one inch wider than your dog’s stance.
• The board should have ball bearings that enable it to roll slowly.

Protective Gear:

• Safety equipment includes a helmet, harness, and paw protectors.
• The dog should be fitted with a harness instead of a collar.

Treats:

• Use high-value chicken or cheese.

Practice Area:

• Driveways and empty parking lots are smooth places with no hazards.

Guidelines Step 1: Assess Age Appropriateness

• To pass the health check, your dog should be more than a year old, mentally confident, healthy, and have no respiratory problems.
• Consult a vet and ensure the dog is physically ready to take the challenge.
• Check whether your dog comfortably sits on the skateboard (optimal weight range is 15-28 pounds).

Step 2: Introduce Skateboard

• Place it on the carpet or grass to do your rolls.
• Sniffing or simply touching it earns payoffs, so does looking at the board.
• Make all the noise possible while your dog remains calm (tap the board and spin the wheels).
• Reward them as well.
• If they are curious, roll the board slightly away (not toward) them.

Duration: daily practice for multi-day sessions targeting 3-5 minutes per day until mastery.

Step 3: Motivation through Engagement

• Ensure the board is secured (wheeled locks engaged or on carpet).
• With a treat, command the dog to “get on” (or “Skate!”) while only putting one paw on the board.
• Reward immediately.
• Progress through two paws, then all four paws using “Yes!” marker or clicker.
• Stabilize the board if they choose to climb on.

Duration: 3-5 minute sessions, 1-2 weeks, aiming for 80% success.

Step 4: Stand on The Stationary Board

• Again, lure your dog to stand fully on the secured board with all paws.
• Use a set command: “Skate” or “Step”.
• Reduce luring and rewarding to only verbal cue responses.
• Hold trucks tightly so rocking doesn’t occur.

Duration: 1-3 weeks, achieving 80% with short sessions.

Step 5: Slight Movement Introduction

• Change area to flat, smooth surfaces, e.g., driveway.
• Gently push the board forward 1-2 inches with the dog still on, using the command “Go” or “Skate.”
• Reward with a treat while they’re still on the board.
• Progress to 4 feet in increments using a leash for control.

Duration: 2-4 weeks, only progressing when calm.

Step 6: Balancing and Steering

• Loosen trucks a bit to enable rocking.
• On grass or carpet, reward shifts of weight to one side with treats.
• Reward for steering.
• Pulling the board with a leash on a flat surface simulates a turn.
• Reward staying centered.
• To keep them on board, use “Stay”.
• Advanced skills take 2-4 weeks.

Step 7: Teach Pushing

• While on the board, reward touching the hind paw to the ground.
• Associative movement cues: pull the board forward when a hind paw touches.
• Push or Go commands can be given.
• Gradually decrease support while rewarding self-initiated pushes of 1-2 feet.

Duration: 3-6 weeks.

Step 8: Increase Speed and Duration

• Extend practice rides to 10-20 feet while rewarding intermittently.
• Teach “Whoa” or “Off” to stop or dismount.
• Introduce gentle slopes controlled by leash once proficiency is mastered.

Duration: 4-8 weeks, still prioritizing comfort.

Step 9: Practice and Have Fun

• The session duration is 5-10 minutes to maintain skills.
• Leashed practice in safe areas (driveway, park) encourages exploration.
• Add variety with tricks (e.g., “Sit” on the board).
• Check paws regularly to monitor for wear and tear.

Safety Tips

• Supervision is critical: avoid roads and uneven surfaces, such as hills.
• Controlled environment: Use a harness and leash.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Check pavement for overheating.
• A dog showing fear, fatigue, or strained breathing necessitates stopping.

Notes

• With proper training, French Bulldogs achieve a baseline riding achievement of 60-80% and an advanced skillset of 20-40%.

For example, it awakens interest, and skateboarding brings activity, breeze, and attention while respecting personal choices.

Avoid frustrating your dog; try to enjoy his company, reward him when he behaves correctly, and make it fun for him.

[Brandon]

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department Deputy was charged with Driving Under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. The Deputy tried everything to use her power to get off the DUI charge. Bodycam footage shows a Florida deputy being pulled over on suspicion of DUI in May 2022. Shelby Alyse Coniglio was fired from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office after she was arrested for allegedly driving drunk. Coniglio made excuses for her alleged intoxication, including that she was wearing contact lenses and moving furniture earlier.

https://youtu.be/tcWP4cLk3yA?si=FwDJMrfe_6R2YYDU

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Sapna Sharma.

[Brandon]

Absolutely! There are mixed feelings about how Schumer manages his leadership responsibilities. I have outlined some of the issues below:

1. Excessive Caution

*Critics dunk him for Schumer’s apparent over-cautiousness, many argue that he favors reaching a compromise instead of taking progressive action, thus leading some leftists to feel as if he does not fight for strong enough progressive policies. *

While crossing over to the Republican side is politically seen as a good thing, in the eyes of many Democrats, Schumer is viewed as someone who has unnecessarily spent so much time on bipartisanship instead of focusing on something historically transformative legislation that is consistent with the party’s voters base.

2. Issues Related to Progressivism

*Schumer gets fire from young democrats on the political left defined by the politically active Intercollegiate Socialist Society for not doing enough on seriously addressing climate change, solving the healthcare crisis, and closing the wealth gap. These individuals believe his policies do not encompassing leftist values, resulting in disappointment among younger voters and activists. *

Some activists argue that Schumer’s approach to some grassroots movements such as removing funding for the police, and his so-called ‘Medicare-for-All’ strategy is lacking, and in some scenarios even too soft, failing to make these issues sufficiently urgent.

3. Political Schemes

Schumer’s Self-Serving Policies: There are political observers accusing Schumer of self-serving political maneuvering, such as during his primary challenges and with his support of certain candidates, which raises some questions if he puts his personal ambitions above party unity.

Dirty Deals: While these negotiations might advance important issues, they also foster the impression that Schumer, in his backroom deals, often sacrifices transparency and accountability to his electorate in order to retain his leadership position within the party.

4. Style of Communication

Self Indulgent: Some critics consider him a *“drama queen,”* as they believe that he theatrically dramatizes everything, making what he says or does appear thematically vibrant, yet rather unnatural. Perception like this makes it tough for him to be credible in serious discussions since it becomes too easy to predict what he says or does next.

Controlling the Message: For someone with such power in the party, Schumer sometimes is seen too loose with his messaging from time to time, which causes great disorder amongst party members as well as electorate voters, who start doubting the importance given to different issues by the Democratic Party.

5. Accomplishments in Legislation

Significant Achievements: In as much as Schumer has participated in significant legislative victories, he is scoffed at by pundits for lacking any serious base achievements on the important issues that many have now come to be frustrated over in the ineffective party of Schumer.

Failure to Mobilize: Critics claim that Schumer has done very little to energize the party’s base, especially in the party’s most important election years, and this has resulted in lackluster turnout and enthusiasm.

Regardless of how much Schumer has done, his leadership style has often been criticized as overly cautious, politically calculative, and at times out of touch with the more left-leaning constituents of the Democrats. These frustrations with his leadership can serve as an obstacle to effective governance and support as the electorate and intra-party dynamics shift.

[Brandon]

The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has been looking into and solving the problems regarding the spending of taxpayer money across different federal agencies such as the Housing and Urban Development. Recent work has revealed enormous expenditures that have been previously hidden, as well as actions taken to increase the responsibility of spending.

Investigations and Findings:

Misuse of COVID-19 Relief Funds: DOGE uncovered that approximately $200 billion spent on COVID-19 relief for schools was used on activities that were not beneficial to students. For example, Granite Public Schools in Utah spent $86,000 renting hotel rooms at Caesars Palace. Santa Ana Unified School District in California spent $393,000 renting a Major League Baseball stadium.

Recovery of Misplaced HUD Funds: The department recovered $1.9 billion that the previous administration had stored away. These funds, which had previously been put aside for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for financial services, were not needed and have now been transferred to the Treasury.

Overstated Savings Reports: Internal audits revealed that DOGE’s reported annual savings of $55 billion was much more than DOGE’s actual savings of about $9 billion. This was the result of faulty accounting and contract value misrepresentation.

Access to Sensitive Data:

IRS Data Access: Staff members, including 25 year old software engineer Gavin Kliger, have been given access to sensitive IRS tax databases for purposes of conducting fraud prevention measures. This raises issues for security and privacy.

Treasury Payment Systems: The Treasury Department has confirmed that DOGE has “read-only” access to payment system codes meaning, the DOGE Department can track payments being made, but cannot change how payments are processed.

Legal Battles And Controversies:

Employment Terminations and Lawsuits: In opposition of DOGE accessing sensitive records, a few veteran civil servants, such as Michelle King and David Lebryk, resigned from their positions. Moreover, a coalition of labor and taxpayer advocacy groups have brought forth lawsuits aiming to limit DOGE’s use of IRS systems due to privacy rights.

Controversial Politics: Consisting of both Democrats and Republicans, nearly everyone seems to criticize the drastic measures taken by DOGE in an attempt to diminish the federal workforce alongside budget expenditures. There are many reaching concerns regarding the impacts on public services such as employee social security, student aid, and degrading the stability of government operations.

These initiatives led with Elon Musk’s management style have resulted in locating and retrieving misallocated taxpayer money, but they raise serious controversy in regard to privacy, reported savings, and data.

[Brandon]

Although neither Chicago nor Illinois is at risk of imminent bankruptcy, both face serious financial issues. Here’s a summary of concerns and potential outcomes:

Financial Problems

Negative Balance:

Like many major cities, Chicago and Illinois struggle to cover their annual expenses, hitting budget deficits year after year. This spending gap is primarily driven by pension obligations, increasing healthcare expenses, and overall spending that exceeds revenue.

Pension Schemes:

The pension schemes awarded to city and state employees are severely underfunded, creating enormous debts. The state and city must make substantial payments to ensure the funds remain viable.

Dept Collection Issues:

Illinois and its flagship city face collection issues from economic stagnation and fiscally irresponsible policies that fail to raise enough funds to meet necessities.

Prop Tax Absorption:

Following Johnson’s pledge to refrain from raising property taxes, spending on supporting illegal migrants has emerged as a substantial financial burden for the city to sustain.

Sanctuary City Policies

Federal Funding:

The creation of sanctuary cities may limit Walgreentech Chicago’s prescription-filling software’s access to some grant funding at the Federal level. Unlike most cities, Chicago and Illinois continue receiving substantial Federal funding for Sanctuary policies.

Legal Challenges:

The US Department of Justice is suing Illinois and Chicago regarding the sanctuary policies. These lawsuits, however, are civil. From a criminal perspective, there does not seem to be any evidence suggesting that Mayor Johnson or Governor Pritzker will be charged or imprisoned for these policies.

Potential Outcomes

Bankruptcy:

Should spending continue unchecked, Chicago and Illinois could become bankrupt. While such a situation would allow for de novo restructuring of a city or state, it would also incur significant costs, including, but not limited to, slashing services, employees, and benefits.

Tax Increases:

Further indication is that tax revenue will be increasingly derived from the property tax base. Chicago and Illinois will likely find themselves in direct contradiction of Mayor Johnson’s statements, who vowed not to raise property taxes.

Spending Cuts:

Services provided by the city and state may undergo reductions, including the scaling back of new hires and the slowing down of employment for new police officers, firefighters, and other important staff.

Pension Reforms:

Intended modifications to the tax-driven deficit and fiscal relief could demand drastic adjustments to the pension apparatus, which may incur prohibitive costs and require the amendment of benefits for active and incoming beneficiaries.

Political and Legal Context

Brandon Johnson, as mayor, and JB Pritzker, as governor, have rationalized their policies regarding sanctuaries to uphold the rights of the residents constituting the migrant population. Instead, they are simply part of a greater political narrative, not breaches of law that would justify arrest. The lawsuit from the other side of the aisle does not contest criminal actions; the claim alleged has its basis in unlawful obstruction of immigration policy execution.

Chicago and Illinois have severe financial struggles, but that does not mean they immediately threaten bankruptcy. The city and state would have to raise taxes, change spending priorities, and implement stricter tax controls to eliminate budget shortfalls. The debate regarding sanctuary policies and immigration continues to be a hot topic. However, no legal ramifications are arising for those in charge. Ultimately, Chicago and Illinois will determine how well or poorly they have the foresight to address their financial situation, deciding how the region will go.

[Brandon]

Fraud and corruption are going to be revealed like never before, say government experts. Did Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency audit Fort Knox and see any missing gold?

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  Brandon.