Last week, a bill that funded the federal government through Dec. 11 was signed into law; the bill includes a full-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and surface transportation funding. Under the agreement, NFIP authority is extended through Sept. 30, 2021.
Santa Barbara Association of REALTORSĀ® Calls Members to Speak Out Against Unfair Tactics by City Council
When the Santa Barbara City Council was working on a tenant relocation ordinance, it quietly attempted to increase the mandated payment amount after the window for public discussion had closed. The Santa Barbara Association of REALTORSĀ® turned to Advocacy Everywhere to let the Council know just how its members ā and members of the voting public ā felt about transparency in government.
Central Oregon Restores Balance to City Council with IE Program
When faced with the expected population boom in Bend, OR, the Central Oregon Association of REALTORSĀ® knew it was crucial to restore balance in the cityās anti-growth City Council. Using the REALTORĀ® Partyās Independent Expenditure Program, the 1700 member association backed candidates who supported smart growth, fiscal responsibility, and sound solutions to the challenges our growing city facesā¦and won.
Hays REALTORSĀ® Use Land Use Initiative to Fine Tune Comprehensive Plan
Hays, Kansas has been updating its existing zoning and subdivision regulations to align with the Comprehensive Plan it adopted in 2012. With its expertise in the field of real estate, and in defense of public property rights, the 80-member Hays Board of REALTORSĀ® used the REALTORĀ® Partyās Land Use Initiative to help bring clarity, vision and fairness to the process.
Residential Real Estate Council Invests in RPAC at Record Levels in 2017
The Residential Real Estate Council (formerly the Council of Residential Specialists) was already a powerful fundraising body for RPAC, but in 2017, its investing was supercharged; its Major Investors and Presidentās Circle membership went up, too.
Hawaiāi REALTORSĀ® Improve Public Education without Property Tax Surcharges
The REALTORSĀ® of Hawaiāi want high quality public education throughout their state, which suffers from extremely high teacher-turnover. This fall, they led the charge against a ballot measure that would allow for the creation of a property tax surcharge on residential investment properties to fund the Department of Education. And then they redoubled their focus on affordable housing.
Kansas REALTORSĀ® Use Issues Mobilization to Prevent Local Property Tax Increases
The REALTORĀ® Partyās Issues Mobilization Grant provides financial assistance to state and local REALTORĀ® Associations to support effective advocacy campaigns on public policy issues that affect REALTORĀ® interests. The Kansas Association of REALTORSĀ® is just one example of how an association has used this program to successfully stave off local property tax increases.
Greensboro REALTORSĀ® Tackle Additions to City Zoning Code
When a fatal apartment fire triggered a knee-jerk reaction from the City Council to amend the municipal zoning code, the Greensboro Regional Association of REALTORSĀ® used the REALTORĀ® Partyās Land Use Initiative to commission a thorough analysis of the changes. The report informed significant changes to the language, and the REALTORSĀ® continue to work with the lawmakers to refine and improve it.
Leveraging Study of Local Homestead Tax Exemption Policies, San Antonio Board of REALTORSĀ® Brings About Dual Tax Relief for Homeowners
The National Association of REALTORSĀ®ā recent Housing Affordability Study inspired the San Antonio Board to commission one of its own on a local level, with help from an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTORĀ® Party. It used the resulting analysis of area Homestead Tax Exemption policies to convince city and county legislators to maximize tax relief for over-burdened homeowners.