Itās a jungle out there in San Diego; in fact, in all of California, where the āJungle Primary Systemā applies. In the jungle system, all candidates are in the first round which, technically, is a non-partisan race, although candidates can accept endorsements. Fifty percent plus one vote wins the race outright. If no one gets over 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates go to a run-off in the general November election. The 12,000-member San Diego Association of REALTORSĀ® (SDAR) endorsed three candidates, and with Independent Expenditure funding from NAR, it created targeted direct mailings for all three...
Oregon REALTORSĀ® Step Up to the Plate to Ban Transfer Taxes
Oregonās REALTORSĀ® came out in force in May of 2012 to let the powers that be know exactly what they think of the possibility of a new real estate transfer tax. In an energetic campaign to get a measure on Novemberās ballot opposing any new taxes on real estate transactions, the 12,000-member Oregon Association of REALTORSĀ® (OAR) presented nearly 164,000 signatures to the secretary of stateās office. It needed only 116,284. Combining impressive grassroots efforts with funds from OAR and NARās Issues Mobilization program, the campaign involved polling, an interactive web site, a signature collection firm and direct mail.
Ft. Collins (CO) REALTORSĀ® Commission Poll Showing What Voters Really Think About City Council Proposal
When the Fort Collins, Colorado City Council began floating the idea of extending its term limits, the Fort Collins Board of REALTORSĀ® (FCBR) suspected that the citizens may not be for it. The 775-member board worked with NARās Campaign Services staff and commissioned a poll to take a look. The poll revealed that citizens were not only against extending the term limits of its City Council, but also did not want to spend $100,000 in tax dollars to bring the issue to a special election. The board provided the poll results to the City Council members and gave the information...
Louisiana REALTORSĀ® Expand Advocacy Web Site into Online Information Hub for Homeowners
Last year, as part of its wildly successful initiative to prohibit any future state-wide transfer taxes, Louisiana REALTORSĀ® (LR) created a website to bolster and communicate its position. After the vote, the website remained: a highly effective platform that had connected with thousands of Louisiana citizens interested in property-rights and home-ownership issues. The challenge was to keep all these folks engaged. Through LRās work with the REALTORĀ® Party, the association took the website to the next level. With a $25,000 Game Changer grant they transformed it into an online, Louisiana-specific, home-ownership resource center ā one that would serve as a...
In Close Race, Southwest Riverside (CA) REALTORSĀ® Help Elect Friend to County Supervisor Office
It was going to be a close race for the Riverside County Supervisor, 1st District. But the challenger, a volunteer fire fighter, owner of a small property management firm, and a California State Assemblyman for six years had the support of the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORĀ® (SRCAR.). Using NARās Campaign Services Resources, the 3,400-member association was able to help elect Kevin Jeffries ā bringing a true friend to the real estate industry into the county supervisor office. And he won with by just 1,200 votes ā less than 1 percent of the total.
Coalition of Los Angeles REALTORĀ® Associations Keeps Transfer Tax Increase Off the Ballot
Last spring, when the City of Los Angeles proposed solving its $230 million fiscal year budget deficit by doubling the documentary transfer tax rate to $9 per $1,000 of assessed value, REALTORSĀ® took action ā fast.
Indiana Association Helps Elect Five REALTORĀ® Champions to Statewide Offices
January 2013
Itās always helpful to have a REALTORĀ® in the houseā¦not to mention REALTORĀ® Champions in the state Senate and attorney generalās office! In Indiana last year, five campaigns that received support from NARās Campaign Services division swept to victory, assuring industry-friendly legislators just where the Indiana Association of REALTORSĀ® (IAR) needs them. The 14,600-member association helped elect two incumbent state representatives ā REALTORSĀ®, no less, two incumbent state senators and a state attorney general who was up for re-election. NAR funding paid for radio ads for all five.
Prince Georgeās County (MD) Association Wins Compromise on Real Estate Recordation Tax With Multi-Media Campaign
Early in 2012, when their county council proposed easing its budget woes by increasing the real estate recordation tax ā for the second year in row ā the Prince Georgeās County Association of REALTORSĀ® took action. After attempts to negotiate a fairer solution didnāt work out, it turned to NAR for help. The 2,800-member association used an $11,000 Issues Mobilization Grant to mount an automated call and electronic letter-writing campaign. Assistance was provided throughout by NAR consultants and program staff. The Maryland Association pitched in with a newspaper ad. The carefully timed multi-media campaign resulted in a compromise that cut...
Greater Capital Area Association Takes the Lead in Smart Growth ā Twice!
Development in Montgomery County, MD, just north of the nationās capital, is growing fast. The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORSĀ® (GCAAR) wants to make sure it grows smart, as well. Two Smart Growth Grants from NAR have been helping it do so. The 8,500-member association used the first one to begin a member education program, which became a celebration of Montgomery Countyās smart growth in action. The second enabled GCAAR to participate in a coalition of county officials, developers, and others to advocate for a comprehensive mass transit plan. Funds were also used to create a magazine compiling smart...
Wisconsin REALTORSĀ® Help Re-Elect Property Rights Champion to Supreme Court
Justice Pat Roggensack, one of the four-justice majority seen as favoring property rights on Wisconsinās Supreme Court, was running for a second 10-year term. The 13,000-member Wisconsin REALTORSĀ® Association (WRA) was there to help her secure it, with 57.5 percent of the vote. WRA led an independent expenditure campaign for her re-election, working closely with a well-established coalition of like-minded partners that includes the state chamber of commerce, the state bankers and builders associations, and the Wisconsin Club for Growth. WRA has been involved in seven of the past eight contested state Supreme Court races, backing the winner in six...