When the city of Scottsdale proposed a one-size-fits-all ordinance that lumped signs for real estate listings in together with those advertising yard sales, the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORSĀ® reacted with a Call for Action that generated nearly 500 letters to City Council members. That got the city's attention; a REALTORĀ® Party Land Use Initiative review by Robinson & Cole helped it see reason.
Sacramento and Pacific West REALTORSĀ® Join Forces to Keep Rent Control off the Ballot
Two local associations in California launched ādecline to signā campaigns to prevent rent-control ballot initiatives from garnering the necessary signatures to qualify for the November 6 election. While one succeeded and the other did not, both agree that it was well worth the effort.
Greater Los Angeles and Southland Regional Association REALTORSĀ® Join Forces to Defeat Parcel Tax
Fresh off a win with a highly publicized teachersā strike earlier this year, the Los Angeles Unified School District called for a 16-cent/square foot parcel tax on all residential and commercial buildings, claiming that it would support students. But the REALTORSĀ® of the Greater Los Angeles and the Southland Regional Associations begged to differ.
REALTORSĀ® Association of South Central Wisconsin Leverages Issues Mobilization and Advocacy Everywhere to Increase Development of Multi-Family Housing
When lawmakers in Madison, Wisconsin took a step towards a zoning change that would increase affordable housing, the REALTORSĀ® generated a strong showing of public support with an Issues Mobilization campaign and a consumer Call For Action. The positive response counterbalanced vocal opposition from powerful homeowner associations and helped tip the City Council vote to a narrow win.
Advocacy Requires Preparation and Action
Itās August, and in the Nationās Capital, that means itās time for Congress to take its traditional seven-week āsummer recess.ā As REALTORSĀ®, the concept of an August recess is foreign to us. We rarely take a breakānot from our businesses and not from our advocacy work.
Wisconsin REALTORSĀ® Help Lower Property Taxes, Strengthen School Budgets, and Protect Property Rights
The Wisconsin REALTORSĀ® Association launched two successful Issues Mobilization campaigns: the first convinced the legislature to eliminate a minor property tax dating back to the Great Depression; the other supported a new law that overturned an existing one that had been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS Support the Health of Waterways, the Public, and the Economy with Issues Mobilization Campaign
There was no question that the wastewater infrastructure of Yarmouth, Massachusetts was overdue to be replaced, but the local REALTORS took no chances when a major plan that was years in the making was put to a final vote.Ā A campaign supported by an Issues Mobilization grant from the REALTOR Party reminded voters how important the new system was to the environment, the residents, and to the peninsulaās tourist economy.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Texas REALTORSĀ® Celebrate 100 Years of Advocacy:Ā Then, Now, and Future
In 1920, a handful of dedicated real estate professionals worked with the Texas legislature to create what would become a premier professional association with the biggest trade association Political Action Committee in the state.Ā Since then, Texas REALTORSĀ® have continued to capitalize on the strength of their grassroots power, and are always ready to advocate for real estate and community issues.
New Jersey REALTORSĀ® Combat Last-Minute Tax Threats to Property- and Business-Owners
In a last-minute scramble to balance the state budget last year, New Jersey lawmakers set their sights on two real estate tax-targets that propelled the state REALTORĀ® Association into action: seasonal rental properties, and homes valued at more than $1 million. Calls for action got the message out to REALTORSĀ®, who made their feelings known to their elected officials.
Central Oregon REALTORSĀ® Support Mixed Use Development and Affordable Housing
As the City Council of Bend, Ore., was considering creating an urban renewal area, the proposed Tax Incremental Financing was causing confusion among residents. To clarify that it didnāt mean new or higher taxes, and to show support for the project, the Central Oregon Association of REALTORSĀ® launched a call for action.