ASAE Open Letter to Congress re Restrictions on Government Employees Attending Meetings and Conferences
NAR has signed on to a letter being circulated by the ASAE and asks you to consider signing on as well. Over 800 other groups have already signed on including some state and local REALTOR® associations. The letter urges Congress to consider revisions to amendments passed by the House and Senate in two separate bills April 25 that place severe restrictions on government employees attending meetings and conferences. These amendments were included in bills passed by the House and Senate in the last two weeks of April.
The ASAE letter indicates support for the intent of creating greater transparency and accountability in government spending. However, while designed to limit spending on government-sponsored conferences and travel expenses for federal employees, the actual language would have a chilling effect on government employees’ participation in non-governmental meetings and conferences such as those that REALTOR® organizations hold at the federal, state and local levels. A reasonable reading of one section of the amendment is that, for example, if employees from FHA attend a meeting sponsored NAR, no other FHA employee can attend any other NAR event until the next fiscal year. Obviously, the dialogue that takes place between federal agency staff at various NAR sponsored events essential to the development of informed policymaking that facilitates real estate markets.
The ASAE email below includes links to the text of the letter and instructions for how to sign on to the letter electronically. The email also provides more details on the amendments and the issues involved. The deadline for signing on to the letter is May 4.
From: Jim Clarke, ASAE Public Policy
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:40 AM
To: Marcia Salkin
Subject: Update on Government Travel Restrictions
ASAE
Thanks to those of you who have already signed on to ASAE’s open letter to Congress this week. The letter urges Congress to revise legislative language attached to separate bills in both chambers last week that severely restricts government employees from attending meetings and conferences held by associations, nonprofits and other private sector organizations. (Read the amendment language here)
The response from our community has been outstanding. More than 800 organizations have signed on to ASAE’s letter to date. ASAE is collecting signatures through this Friday, May 4 before delivering the letter to Congress. If you have not done so already, please take action and add your voice to the hundreds of associations, nonprofits and for-profit corporations who want to preserve the valuable interchange between government and the private sector at meetings and conferences. If not revised, the provisions passed separately by the House and Senate last week could greatly impact attendance at many meetings and conferences and further erode the important dialogue between federal agencies and the private sector.
You can help ASAE’s efforts on this issue in three ways:
— Take a look at ASAE’s open letter with signatures received as of 8AM this morning. If you have already signed on in support, review your organization’s name and send any changes to Robert Hay at rhay@asaenet.org. If you have not already signed, use the web form or complete this document to add your voice to this effort.
— Share this email with your colleagues, members, business partners or other contacts. These provisions would impact all organizations that hold meetings and conferences and invite government employees, either as speakers or just attendees. There are no types of conferences exempted from these proposed restrictions.
— During this week’s recess, contact your members of Congress in the district and share with them your concern on this issue. Here is a one-pager that outlines the concerns with these provisions.
Thank you again for your strong support on this issue. If you have any questions about these provisions or ASAE’s related advocacy efforts, please contact us at 202-626-2703 or publicpolicy@asaenet.org.
SIGN ON VIA WEB SIGN-ON FORM OR BY COMPLETING THIS DOCUMENT
SOURCE: Jim Clarke, Public Policy American Society of Association Executives
1575 I St. N.W., Washington, DC 20005-1103
Phone: (202) 626-2703; Fax: (202) 371-1673; Email: phpgrassroots@asaenet.org
Tax-Increase Measures to Become Propositions on the Fall Ballot
While nearly a dozen tax-increase measures have been approved by the Office of the Secretary of State for signature gathering, four measures stand out as most likely to become propositions on the fall ballot because of the big money behind them.
Sacramento is promoting an initiative that would raise between $4.8 billion and $6.9 billion. While it would increase sales taxes and income taxes on upper-income filers, independent analysis shows that most of the money will come from the sales tax increase, which would have the greatest impact on middle- and lower-income families. Among those funding Brown’s measure are the California Hospitals Committee, the American Beverage Association, Occidental Petroleum, and Native American gambling interests, all of whom could benefit from the governor’s favor.
Wealthy Southern California lawyer Molly Munger has pledged $2 million to her own tax measure that would raise between $10 billion and $11 billion by raising income taxes on all Californians.
We’ll have more info in a future blog.
Malibu Association of REALTORS®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Malibu Association of REALTORS® Legislative Committee Chair William Bowling attended a private primary campaign event for Assemblywoman Betsy Butler who is running for the 50th district (West Hollywood to Malibu). Members of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Board of REALTORS® also attended the event hosted by REALTOR® Jeanne Dorbin at her west side home. Butler was instrumental in a bill that bans biphenyls in baby bottles and promises to continue fighting for environmental rights in her district. Bowling plans to meet with Butler again to discuss other issues and concerns of Malibu and Topanga residents. Leadership from the Malibu Association of REALTORS® including President Bobby Lehmkuhl, will join thousands of California REALTORS® headed to Sacramento for their annual meetings with state legislators this week.
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SOURCE: Susan Manners, Association Executive
Malibu Association of REALTORS® – 23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 140, Malibu CA 90265
Phone: 310.456.5566 – Fax: 310.456.1809 Email: info@MalibuRealtors.org
Join CAR for Legislative Day on May 2, 2012 in Sacramento, CA
Join CAR for Legislative Day on May 2, 2012 during the May 2-5 business meetings in Sacramento, CA.
SOURCE: LeFrancis Arnold, 2012 President – www.LeFrancisArnold.com www.LeFrancis2012.com
California Association of REALTORS® for Legislative Day, May 2, 2012, Sacramento, CA.
http://videos.car.org/?bcpid=987216733001&bckey=AQ~~%2cAAAAzBtBmCE~%2cgKfMMlGoPZI5kU4oXdOB9V1GODmgg1BX&bclid=969642122001&bctid=1550636009001
Message from LACBOR President, Jennifer Avellan
Someone once said…
“I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty”
As we celebrate LACBOR and the individuals who will continue to lead LACBOR in its efforts to protect property rights, let us focus on the notion that property rights are simply an extension of personal rights…that the idea of owning a home is fundamental to our pursuit of happiness and inseparable from our concept of liberty.
Our rights as property owners demand we be responsible for the enormous impact real estate can have on our communities. An empty lot or run-down property can quickly become a community park or prize of the neighborhood with the right vision and commitment towards improvement. LACBOR is dedicated towards that sense of duty, and arming real estate agents with the support, guidance, and direction necessary to help realize this vision.
Though we may, at times, feel ourselves worn-down by the predictions of pundits or the grid-lock in our capital, we can never forget that many times the most effective solutions are the ones developed and implemented on the local level. I know that many of the challenges which face our industry can be overcome by some of the practical, no-nonsense approaches possessed by many of you here today.
If there is going to be another real estate boom, then I can think of no other place better than Los Angeles to have it begin. Like many of you are aware, Los Angeles County holds one of the most resilient real estate markets in the country. Working together…sharing information, ideas, and support, there is no goal too high or expectation too far from reach. LACBOR is based on the idea that when real estate agents, brokers, owners, buyers and political leaders work together…good things happen.
The concerns of those involved in LACBOR and the real estate industry are the very concerns of many facing our nation today. Keeping the values of homes strong is what keeps a community strong. House by house, block by block we enable our city and county to live up to its true potential. Every time a new family finds their first home, or a home owner finds an able buyer to help them move on to other goals and aspirations, we strengthen the American dream and our sense of community.
Together I know we can lead Los Angeles to a bright and prosperous future while improving the standard of living and the rights of property owners throughout the county.
SOURCE: Jennifer Avellan, LACBOR President (taken from 2012 Installation Speech)
www.jencanhelp.com/home.asp
WSGVR’s Chinese New Year Celebration
Maria Elena Piedra, LACBOR’s Treasurer, and Andor Molnar, LACBOR’s President-Elect, attended the West San Gabriel Board of REALTORS® (WSGVR) Chinese New Year Celebration. The January 26 event celebrating the “Year of the Dragon” was held on Thursday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 at the WSGVR office, 1039 E. Valley Blvd, #205B, San Gabriel, CA 91776. The event included food, prizes, entertainment, and charity auctions. Yin Bihr is WSGVR’s 2012 President.
Andor with Yin Bihr, WSGVR President
Andor with Albert Tran, WSGVR Executive Officer
Maria Elena Piedra and Andor
SOURCE: Andor J. Molnar, RHI, CHI,
REALTOR®, Home Inspector DRE# 00888790
(818) 398 3116
www.Andor.Listingbook.com
Weekly Update to Federal Political Coordinators
Please read this update in its entirety as it provides important information for FPCs on a variety of issues.
NAR 2012 Public Policy Priorities
Last week, during the Public Policy and Advocacy Conference here in Washington, DC, NAR Leadership unveiled the 2012 Public Policy Priorities. Please review them to understand each issue – you’ll be on the front lines helping to educate others. The Priorities list can be found on REALTOR.org: http://www.ksefocus.com/billdatabase/clientfiles/172/4/1423.pdf
Limited Target Call for Action
On Thursday, NAR sent a Call for Action (CFA) to roughly 255,000 REALTORS® asking them to contact Congress about a GSE and FHA fee that is being used to pay for the two-month payroll tax break that passed back in December (referred to as a “G-Fee”). This fee is a de facto tax increase on homeowners and bad for the already fragile housing market.
Congress is considering a ten-month extension of the payroll tax break, and REALTORS® need to speak up to ensure this G-Fee does not continue. If you are a REALTOR® living in any of the following states, you received the CFA: Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming. Your Senator was a target. Additionally, 23 Congressional Districts were targeted. If you live in one of these districts, you will see a CFA email.
We expect Congress to consider this tax break in the very near future, so if you did receive the CFA, please respond right away. If you have questions about the issue, please contact Tony Hutchinson at thutchinson@realtors.org.
FPC News
Judi Patriski, FPC for Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH10), was recently named REALTOR® of the Year by the Medina Board of REALTORS®. She also received a top honor as Ohio’s CRS Member of the Year. Congratulations Judi!
Richard Tegley, FPC for Rep. Mary Bono (CA45), was recently appointed as a Commissioner on the Tax Assessment Appeals Board of Riverside County (California) by the Riverside Board of Supervisors. In this position, he will assist the Code Enforcement Team with foreclosures in the city of Moreno Valley. Sounds like hard work Richard. Congratulations on your appointment!
Andy Donohue, FPC for Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA08), was recently honored as 2011 REALTOR® of the Year by the Bucks County Association of REALTORS®. He was recognized for all of his hard work on behalf of REALTORS®, including his role as FPC. Great job Andy!
Jeanette Tighe, FPC for Rep. John Tierney (MA06), was promoted to the position of Executive Assistant to the President for EXIT Realty Corporation USA. She started her new role on January 1. Moving on up Jeanette! Congratulations and we wish you every success in your new duties.
Ken Warden, FPC for Rep. Geoff Davis (KY04) was recently installed as President of the Northern Kentucky Association of REALTORS®. He was installed by his Congressman (now how’s that for an installation party?). Ken also serves as a state and national RPAC Trustee. Congratulations Ken and best wishes for a successful year!
Each week, we highlight a few FPCs sharing news with other FPCs around the country. Do you have something to celebrate? Perhaps a new family member, a new company opening, an award or other honor? Send that news to Laura Vogel (lvogel@realtors.org) and it will be used in an upcoming Weekly Message.
Tip of the week: FPCs who are members of the RPAC President’s Circle now have an extra perk! As we begin the first round of solicitations in 2012, President’s Circle members who are also FPCs are allowed to contribute their $500 directly to their assigned Member of Congress. You will receive credit for your President’s Circle commitment, while being able to directly support your Member of Congress’ reelection campaign. If you’re not yet a member of the RPAC President’s Circle and you’d like more information, please contact Lisa Friday Scott at lscott@realtors.org
SOURCE: REALTOR® Action Center
www.realtoractioncenter.com
Giuseppe Veneziano: LACBOR’s Newest Director and Chair for the Political Advocacy Committee
Good morning LACBOR Officers and Directors,
I am proud to announce that Giuseppe Veneziano, REALTOR® member of the Montebello District Board of REALTORS® and Vice Chair for their Young People Network (YPN) Group, has accepted our invitation to be a LACBOR Director for 2012-2013. In addition to being our newest Director, he will be heading the Political Advocacy Committee, monitoring the weekly County Planning Commission Meetings and providing us with weekly reports as necessary. His Association Assignments will be Palos Verdes Association of REALTORS® as well as the West San Gabriel Association of REALTORS®. He will be installed at our Installation luncheon on February 10, 2012. I have attached his resume for those of you who are interested in learning more about his accomplishments/involvement.
Please congratulate him when you have the opportunity.
SOURCE: Jennifer Avellan, LACBOR 2012 President
http://www.jencanhelp.com/home.asp
Weekly Update to Federal Political Coordinators
Please read this update in its entirety as it provides important information for FPCs on a variety of issues.
2012 Call for Action Response Rate
On Wednesday, January 25, the REALTORS® Political Involvement Committee (RPIC) met via Webinar to determine the NAR Call for Action (CFA) response rate for 2012. RPIC voted unanimously to keep the response rate at 15% for this year. So many states were so close last year, and the Committee – with the support of NAR Leadership – felt that it was extremely important to keep the goal attainable. Now, let’s go out there and hit that goal this year! FPCs, please be sure to spread the word in your states and when the first CFA comes, be ready to make it happen.
Homeownership Matters to State of the Union
In President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, he recognized the still struggling housing market and the need to do more to address it. NAR President, Moe Veissi, released a statement commending the President for his remarks and reiterating that REALTORS® stand ready to help. Moe’s statement can be read in its entirety on REALTOR.org: http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2012/01/state_of_union
FPC News
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of a member of the FPC family. Michele Brennan, FPC for Rep. Dave Reichert (WA08), passed away after an extended battle with Diabetes and renal disease. Michele was always tenacious in her role and took it seriously. She even conducted meetings with her Congressman in her hospital room. Please take a moment to remember Michele. She will most certainly be missed.
Tip of the week:
We’ve seen in a number of field reports lately that some of you have pictures from your meetings with your Member of Congress. Did you know that you can upload and share those pictures on the FPC Photo Gallery? To upload your photo and look at photos from other FPCs around the country, please go to the REALTOR® Action Center: http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtors/fpc/fpc-photos.html If you can, make sure to identify yourself and any other REALTORS® in the photo.
SOURCE: REALTOR® Action Center
www.realtoractioncenter.com.
2012 Installation for Antelope Valley AOR
Andor Molnar, LACBOR’s 2012 President-Elect, attended Antelope Valley’s Association of REALTORS® Annual Dinner and Installation on Friday, January 13, 2012, as a representative of LACBOR. The 6:00 p.m. event was held at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California and Assemblyman Steve Knight (R-36) installed David Slover as the new 2012 President.
SOURCE: Andor J. Molnar, RHI, CHI,
REALTOR®, Home Inspector DRE# 00888790
(818) 398 3116
www.Andor.Listingbook.com
