REALTOR® Advocate
August 11, 2010
PLEASE VOTE: Primary Election - August 17!
The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 17. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than that date. That's less than a week. Don't let your ballot sit around; make it count and send it in today. When you do, please consider the list of Realtor®-endorsed candidates. Realtors® have thoughtfully reviewed candidate qualifications to find out if they support and understand Realtor® issues that affect our business.
2010 Realtor®-endorsed candidates
REALTOR® PAC is Key to Protecting Your Business
"With half the state Senate seats, all of the House seats, statewide initiatives, U.S. Congressional and Senate races being considered in elections this year, Realtors® PAC is critical to endorsing and electing the candidates who listen to Realtors® on issues that impact our industry," says Glen Clark, 2010 Realtors® PAC, chair. "It is a pivotal time in government and the economy. The best investment Realtors® can make right now to protect their business is RPAC."
Thank You to Our RPAC Major Investors
There are Realtors® who make a huge commitment to protect our livelihood at a very critical time! They are known as Realtors® PAC Major Investors, members who contribute $5000 (Golden R), $2500 (Crystal R) or $1000 (Sterling R) because they are convinced of the power RPAC has to protect our livelihood.
Looking for Something?
We just added a new section called GA Resources & Policies to help you in your community planning and government affairs efforts as well as in your business. Let us know what you think!
Legal Affairs Update: Cases That Could Affect Your Business
Washington Realtors® has taken action on several cases involving: real estate broker liability, growth management, B&O taxes, and procuring cause for real estate commissions. We have provided a brief update on the all the cases at the link below.
Fact or Fiction? A 3.8% tax on homes sales? FICTION!
An article is still circulating that mischaracterizes and overstates what is actually in the recently passed federal health care legislation. There is a new 3.8% Medicare tax for "High Income Filers" that goes into effect January 1, 2013. The tax is on unearned income and will apply ONLY to single filers with more than $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and joint filers with more than AGI of $250,000. Unearned income includes interest, dividends, capital gains and net rents.
Read more (scroll down on page)
U.S. Congress Restores Funding for Rural Housing
On July 28th, Congress finally passed legislation to restore funding to the 502 single-family rural housing program. Thank you to the thousands of Washington Realtors® who responded to Calls-for-Action and got this done. The legislation will increase the guarantee fee for borrowers (but still allow it to be financed), which will make the program self-sufficient. The legislation also increases the commitment authority so Rural Housing Service (RHS) can formally guarantee loans (they had been providing conditional commitments). RHS will announce new guidelines shortly after the President signs the bill.
The REALTOR® Advocate is written and produced by Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs. Please send comments to Barb Lally at Barb.Lally@warealtor.org. If you are receiving a duplicate copy please send notification to the newsletter return e-mail address.
