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
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
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
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
Burbank AOR’s Installation of Officers and Directors
On Saturday evening, January 7, 2012, Andor Molnar, LACBOR’s President-Elect, attended Burbank’s Association of REALTORS® Installation of Officers and Directors. The 6:00 p.m. dinner Installation was held at the Lakeside Country Club in Burbank, California where Christopher Rizzotti was installed as their 2012 President.
SOURCE: Andor J. Molnar, RHI, CHI,
REALTOR®, Home Inspector DRE# 00888790
(818) 398 3116
www.Andor.Listingbook.com
20th Annual Empowerment Congress at University of Southern California
Dear Friends,
Please join me at the 20th Annual Empowerment Congress at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the University of Southern California’s Bovard Auditorium. This year’s plenary session will feature a keynote speech by Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, as well as inspiring words from actor and author Hill Harper, whose bestselling books have made him a nationally recognized voice for self help and community empowerment.
The Summit also will include a continental breakfast, workshops on topics such as public safety, economic development and the arts, musical performances and a luncheon. The entire event is free, but advanced registration is encouraged.
Click here to review the Empowerment Congress workshops and to register for the summit.
I look forward to working with you once again at this year’s Empowerment Congress Annual Summit.
With hope,
Mark Ridley-Thomas
SOURCE: Mark Ridley-Thomas http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov
866 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
National Bus Tour Underscores Importance of Home Ownership Matters
Anaheim, November 10, 2011
After traveling through 33 states and visiting more than 50 cities across the country, the National Association of Realtors® Home Ownership Matters Bus arrives in Anaheim, Calif., today for the Realtors® Conference & Expo here this week. The bus will be parked on the floor of the Anaheim Convention Center throughout the conference.
The bus’s final stop in Anaheim wraps up a successful eight-month trek that kicked off in Chicago, Ill., this past March. The multi-city bus tour was launched as part of NAR’s Home Ownership Matters campaign to engage Realtors® and consumers across a number of public policy proposals, government programs and incentives that could dramatically impact homeownership in this country.
“As Realtors® gather this week for NAR’s annual conference, we’re well aware of the need to keep housing first on the nation’s public policy agenda, because housing and home ownership issues affect all Americans,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “The Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour has helped us do that this past year, giving Realtors® and consumers the opportunity and resources to make their voices heard.”
Some of the issues that were and continue to be front-and-center during the bus tour included the future of the mortgage interest deduction as an important tax benefit for current and aspiring homeowners; the availability and accessibility of mortgage financing — whether the issue is how much buyers can borrow through conforming loan limits, if creditworthy borrowers can qualify for a loan, or the amount of down payment future buyers must make — and the ability of homeowners to obtain affordable flood insurance. Realtors® will be meeting with elected officials, public policymakers and other industry experts throughout this week’s conference to address these and other issues confronting today’s real estate market.
Whether you own a home today or want to own a home someday, it’s important to engage on housing issues now,” said Phipps. “Using the Home Ownership Matters bus as a conversation starter, Realtors® were able to shine a spotlight on what’s at stake for millions of home owners and home buyers, and demonstrate Realtors®’ commitment to ensuring that people in this country will continue to have access to the American dream of homeownership well into the future.”
For more information on the Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour including recaps and pictures of past events, visit www.realtor.org/topics/bustour2011
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. News releases are posted in the Web site’s “News Media” section in the NAR Media Center.
SOURCE: http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2011/11/national_bus_tour
Michelle Wardlaw — mwardlaw@realtors.org — (202) 383-1042
