REALTOR® Advocate
Fall Edition - October 13, 2011
@WRgov: Follow Us on Twitter
Get the inside scoop on things going on in government, law and politics that affect your business at our new Twitter account. Join us @WRgov!
Elections 2011: Vote Nov. 8th
Washington State law requires ballots be mailed to voters at least 18 days prior to an election, so you should be receiving your ballot soon. For REALTOR®-endorsed candidates in your local area check with your Local Association.
Invest in REALTOR® PAC by October 21 Deadline
Help get REALTOR®-endorsed candidates elected by making your 2012 RPAC investment before the October 21 deadline.
REALTOR® PAC Major Investors Invest Big!
Please help us recognize our RPAC Major Investors, REALTORS® who contribute $1000, $2500, $5000 to protect our industry and the home owners, buyers and sellers we serve.
Thank you RPAC Major Investors!
REALTORS® Oppose I-1125
Washington REALTORS® Legislative Steering Committee voted to oppose I-1125, an initiative on the ballot this fall to restrict the use of toll revenue for critical transportation projects. "Restricting the much-needed funding for transportation would not only harm the quality of life in our communities but would also slow our economic recovery," said George McGilliard, 2011 Washington REALTORS® vice president of government affairs.
Mark Your Calendar: 2012 Legislative Day
Join us on January 19, 2012 for Washington REALTORS®' annual Legislative Day. Join hundreds of colleagues as REALTORS® make our voices heard in Olympia!
Understand WA State Foreclosure Fairness Act: new Video
Washington REALTORS® has produced a new video explaining the Foreclosure Fairness law passed in the 2011 legislative session that gives new rights to distressed homeowners. "This information is a timely member benefit that will position REALTORS® as the trusted resource that our clients turn to for help," said Phil Harlan, WR 2011 President.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a link to REALTORS®' Foreclosure Fairness video on their site!
LEGAL AFFAIRS: REALTOR® Support Cited in Lawsuit Win for Commission
Washington REALTORS® amicus brief was recently cited by the Washington Court of Appeals in a decision that reversed a lower court decision that a Yakima real estate brokerage was not entitled to be paid commission.
Read a Summary of the decision
REALTORS® Defend New, Improved B&O Statute
With reports of state revenues continuing to plummet and an upcoming special legislative session to deal with a state budget deficit beginning on Nov. 28, the talk in Olympia is about "eliminating tax preferences". REALTORS® defend the new and improved real estate B&O statute with a letter to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC).
REALTORS® Testify Before State Debt Commission
On October 6, REALTOR® Past-President Bill Riley testified before the WA State Debt Commission to stress the need for adequate funding for basic infrastructure to improve the housing and construction market and protect WA's quality of life. Riley stressed the importance of using the state's debt authority responsibly and ensuring that any changes do not adversely impact programs like the Public Works Trust Fund and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.
REALTORS® Invited to Congressional Roundtable for WSHFC
Terry Sullivan, WR Past President and chair of NAR's Land Use Committee, joined WA State Housing Finance Commission Executive Director Kim Herman and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) representative Jim Tobin in a Congressional Roundtable on federal issues that impact the housing market at the annual Housing Washington Conference in Spokane.
REALTORS® Participate in Wood Smoke Effects Group
Washington REALTORS® worked to remove a woodstove change-out point of sale requirement from SB 5432 this past legislative session. The Department of Ecology is now focusing on studying solutions in local areas. Tacoma-Pierce County REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Catherine Rudolph is participating in the process of looking for ways to address the effects of wood smoke without a point of sale requirement.
REALTORS® & Property Owners for Sensible Floodplains Regulations
Development in floodplain areas is becoming more challenging; floodplains are getting larger with revised floodplain maps and floodplain development regulations are becoming more stringent. REALTORS® have been working with the "Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulations" coalition, which recently sent a letter expressing their concern for overly restrictive development regulations. More info: Jeanette McKague at jeanette.mckague@warealtor.org.
REALTORS® in the News:
New video to assist state's homeowners facing foreclosure (MyNorthwest.com, Tom Kelly)
Groups team up to protect homeowners (Business Examiner)
Realtors, AWB oppose Eyman's toll measure (Olympian)
Washington Realtors name Sen. Ranker '2011 Realtor Legislative Champion' (Bellingham Herald)
Realtors Endorse McKenna for governor (Olympian, Bellingham Herald, Tacoma News Tribune)
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.
