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People who are driving on sections of the new roadways are being photographed. Most don't even know it.

A TxDOT contractor is taking pictures of your license plate and using that information to build a database of every driver on the road.

Find out more at AustinTollParty.com

FAIR USE NOTICE: This video contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Material from diverse and sometimes temporary sources is being made available in a permanent unified manner, as part of an effort to advance understanding of the social justice issues ociated with the the privatization of public roads and eminent domain abuse. It is believed that this is a 'fair use' of the information as allowed under section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 USC Section 107, this video account is maintained without profit for those who access it for research and educational purposes. For more information, see: www.law.cornell.edu

Duration : 0:2:12

More on KXAN: Cameras Capturing License Plates On Toll Roads

to obtain my commercial pilot license, it cost me around $70,000, will any airline pay that fee if i sign some contract with them? This is not unheard of but, i am unable to find any Information please help!

There has never been a company in the history of the US airline industry that has done that. There are (or were) a few national airlines in other countries that had "ab initio" programs for citizens of those countries, but most of those programs have disappeared and getting into them was as hard as becoming a military pilot. Sorry to disappoint you. I paid for all the ratings myself and it took many years to earn the money. I even lived in my car for a couple years to save money for flying instead of rent. Like me, you can do it without financial backing if you really want to, but it takes time, dedication, and sacrafice to get there.

I have good marketing and networking skills and a huge passion for properties in a certain demographic. I know a real estate broker who has that demographic and is really honest and very good at the contract side, but a little shy when it comes to people. Can we work together or do I have to get my real estate license in order to create a partnership?

You must get your real estate license or you are going to fun afoul of the law and so will that broker.

It isn't that hard to obtain a license. Go for it.

Under the watch of hidden cameras, we catch unlicensed contractors right here in West Texas trying to get work.

But without a license there's no way to know if the contractor really knows what they're doing.

When dealing with a-c units… Or electrical wiring… One small error can cause massive damage to your home.

We begin with 25-year-old Danny Leyva, a midland man caught on camera bidding on an ac job without a license.

This was not Danny's first run-in with investigators.

After some digging, we found Danny Leyva has started jobs without a license. Right now, the City of Odessa is actively investigating Mr. Leyva.

"One of the city inspector's was out on a site and at that time, that's when he discovered Mr. Leyva was working without a license. "

The pictures prove it. This notification shows Leyva was ordered by the city to stop all work on this AC job until he gets his license. That was in April. It's now July and he still doesn't have it- forcing the homeowner to find someone else to finish his job.

"He's very aware that's there's an investigation against him."

Both the city of Odessa and the state say, if Leyva can lie to our cameras, unlicensed contractors can lie to you.

"It's very serious. There's a liability on the consumer."

"Unless they become fully licensed and insured- they cannot perform air conditioning or electrical work within the state of Texas."

No exceptions.

" Just applying, applying years ago, or in the process of applying- that doesn't count."

And unless you ask, you may not know they are unlicensed.

"These guys, the minute you tell them you've got cash, they will come down here."

But even before they walk through your home and give you a bid they are in violation of state law.

"The first violation was putting that ad in the paper offering their services."

"They can only advertise if they have a license number, and even then it could be expired."

"The 2nd violation would be coming down here and bidding on work that they aren't licensed to do."

"You can receive up to a $5,000 fine per violation per day."

But sometimes, that $5,000 fine is pennies compared to the damage done to your home- bad electrical work or a botched AC installation with that your insurance company will not cover because they are unlicensed.

"Guessing. They're just guessing that's what that property needs. They're not taking full measurements of the house, the square footage, how many plugs, what kind of AC unit's gonna be up there. They just want to cut as many corners as possible."

If they are caught while working on your home you are stuck with finding another contractor to finish the job. And most times, if you plan on selling your home, you're going to have to show proof of all work done on your home, and if it's not all done by a licensed contractor it may be a while until you can sell.

"We want to be sure that the person who comes out has the proper license, the experience, the insurance and has the ability to perform these critical functions inside their home."

There are several ways you can find out who is knocking on your door.
Like we mentioned earlier, cities and the state investigate unlicensed contractors.
Check with your city hall, the better business bureau or visit the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation's website- linked below.

http://www.license.state.tx.us/ To research and report violations or complaints to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulaion online.

Duration : 0:4:1

More on CBS 7 Eye-Team Investigation: To Catch A Contractor Part 2/2

What is the best Website for looking up information on Virginia Contracting Licenses. My fiance is starting a buisness in Virginia for building house and my part is to get the licenses for him to build and I don't even know where to begin. Can anyone help me with starting and where I can get the books or information off the internet. If someone knows what is on the test can you tell me. And where would I take the test at. Anything will help. Please. Thank you.

Here are some documents you may want to read:

Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations http://www.state.va.us/dpor/forms/con/27intro.pdf
If you are in Fairfax County http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/navbar/faqs/contractorlic.htm

To do construction work in Virginia you need a license or certificate from the Virginia Board for Contractors. To get an application, contact:

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Board for Contractors
3600 West Broad Street
P. O. Box 11066
Richmond, VA 23230-1066
(804) 367-8511
Fax: (804) 367-2474
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/
E-mail: contractors@dpor.state.va.us

To get a Class A [works on single contracts for $70,000 or more or contracts totaling $500,000 or more over a one-year period and company must have a net worth of at least $45,000] or Class B license [works on single contracts for $7,500 or more but less than $70,000 or contracts totaling $150,000 or more but less than $500,000 over a one-year period] your fiance must pass an exam. Exams are given by:

PSI Examination Services
3210 E. Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(800) 733-9267
Fax: (702) 932-2666
http://www.psiexams.com

I suggest you visit Contractor's License Reference Site http://contractors-license.org/ for more information on certifications needed as well as the exams.

ggf

Duration : 0:5:3

More on ngh

I know someone that is considering personal bankruptcy as they have been out of work for quite some time (about 2 years) and outside of the occasional contract/temp work, no other jobs. She is trying hard and interviewing with a lot of companies and headhunters, but I think she is giving up and just gonna try and work for herself.
Between her MBA student loans (they refuse to reduce the payments), car note (no bus line within 2 miles of apartment) and credit cards, she is just sinking fast. Before she makes a long-term error, I want to give her some solid advice…
Can they still get a real estate license (taking the class right now) if they file for bankruptcy or do they have to wait for the bankruptcy to be discharged? or she is not ever eligible to get a license due to filing for bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy shouldn't go against her in getting a license. However, you need to point out to her that even if she files for bankruptcy and her debt is discharged, she'll still owe the student loans. You cannot get rid of a student loan in bankruptcy.

If she is out of work, she should be able to get a deferment on the loans. They will still accrue interest but at least she wouldn't have that payment until she gets a job. She should also consider consolidating all the student loans into one loan. Go to the Department of Education Website, link below, for info on loan consolidation. She needs to get them deferred until she finds permanent work first and consolidate them into one payment. They are likely to give her a lower interest rate too.

in florida

Not sure about Florida but in Indiana my friend doesnt have a license or anything he just has to have insurance. My advice is keep what you will owe for taxes set aside. My friend didnt do that and he is still paying the IRS plus interest and fees.

OUR INTENSE INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED MASSIVE CORRUPTION IN THE OFFICE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BUILDING CODES COMPLIANCE, WHERE INDIVISUALS WITH ENOUGHT CASH CAN PURCHASE A CONTRACTORS LICENSE FROM STAFF PERSONAL, THIS UNCHECKED DEPARTMENTAL BEHAVIOR HAS CAUSE A RASH OF UNLICENSED INDIVISUALS TO ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL CONTRACTING BEHAVIOR. DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR MR.HERMINO GONZALEZ MUST STEP DOWN.

Duration : 0:4:38

More on MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE FAILURES

I have an invoice from a handyman service with a license number on it and I signed it stating that I was authorizing the handyman service to perform the work as described. I cancelled 4 business days later before any work was done. It does not state anywhere that it is a binding contract. He is threatening to sue me for breach of contract.
I cancelled 3 days before he was supposed to come out to the house and just replace wheels on my closet doors. He did not purchase any material. No fine print on front or back stating it was a contract. Only an invoice and nothing written about if I cancel I will have to pay.

Yes, it could be a binding contract, depending on what it says. Any written document you sign can be legally interpreted to be a contract, and most are. This is why you ALWAYS need to read the fine print an be sure you know what you are signing.

Consult a business lawyer in your community, or seek help from your local legal aid society if you cannot afford one. It is very possible that the handyman does have a legitimate case against you if he/she turned down other paying work to honor their scheduling commitment to you, and now has lost income because of your cancellation. Even for a small contract they can take you to small claims court, which will cost you a lot of time and energy to defend, so best to be open-minded and fair about reaching some kind of settlement with the handyman quickly.