| THE GADFLY |
| May 2019 |
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| In This Issue... |
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| 2019 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo |
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 Hill Visit Messages
The 2019 REALTORS® Legislative Meeting Messages to Congress are directly tied to our consumer ad campaign – That’s Who We R® – featuring both commercial and residential real estate. With more than 100 new members serving in Congress and even more new staff, we have the perfect opportunity to reintroduce REALTORS® and the value of real estate to a new Congress. REALTORS® will remind Congress of the value they bring value to their communities, discussing the impact of real estate on the economy, consumers, and the vital role homeownership plays in building generational wealth.
REALTORS® have an important story. We will tell Congress:
- Who We “R” and Why We Care
REALTORS® adhere to the code of ethics, and 67% are active participants in their communities.
- How Real Estate Benefits the Economy and Consumers
Real estate accounts for 19% of the gross domestic product, and commercial real estate supported 8.3 million American jobs in 2018.
- What We Care About
NAR is following range of issues before Congress. For example, the National Flood Insurance Program needs to be extended by May 31, and Opportunity Zone tax incentives, which we are working to implement.
For more information, please join:
May 3: FPC/GAD Webinar
GADs are welcome to join us on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 1:30 pm ET for an FPC webinar outlining all your FPCs will need in preparation for their trip to Washington, D.C. The webinar will include a review our new organizational structure at NAR, our revamped approach and messaging for Capitol Hill, logistics of where to pick up printed materials and an overview of decorum for your meetings.
Register Today
Dial-In: 855-797-9485 or 415-655-0002
Access code: 921 542 571
Meeting password: PM24VJ73
May 8: Hill Visit Town Hall
Tune in to hear Shannon McGahn, NAR's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, and Tracy Kasper, NAR's 2019 Vice President of Advocacy, preparing you for meetings with members of Congress during the 2019 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, and how to tell YOUR story to Congress, expressing:
- The value that REALTORS® bring to their communities.
- The impact of real estate on the economy and the vital role it plays in building personal wealth for consumers.
- The importance of property ownership and building safe communities accessible to all.
Register Today
Members of NAR's federal policy team will also be available to answer questions from the audience. If you miss the webcast, the entire program will be available for download at www.nar.realtor/hillvisitmaterials by May 9. |
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GAD Meetings and Events of Interest
Tuesday, May 14
- 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Federal Legislative & Political Forum
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marriott Ballroom, Lobby Level
- 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – GAD Briefing on Hill Visits
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Ambassador Ballroom, Lower Level
This briefing allows local, state and federal government relations professionals an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas before attending your Capitol Hill meetings. This year’s briefing will be a town hall style with NAR Legislative Representatives and Political Representatives providing insight into the NAR advocacy structure and previewing the legislative meeting materials. We will also be saving plenty of time for GADs to ask questions and interact with the Political and Legislative Directors and Political Reps.
- 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – GAD Advisory Group Meeting (Closed Meeting)
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, McKinley Room, Mezzanine Level
- 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – NAR 360
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marriott Ballroom, Lobby Level
Wednesday, May 15
- 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Federal Priority Issues Briefing
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marriott Ballroom, Lobby Level
- 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Advocacy Everywhere Training
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Park Tower 8216, Lobby Level
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – State and Local Issues Policy Committee
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Georgetown Room, Lobby Level
- 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Hill Visits
- 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – RPAC Fundraising Awards Ceremony and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marriott Ballroom, Lobby Level
Thursday, May 16
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Hill Visits
- 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Advocacy Everywhere
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Cabinet Room, West Conference Center
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – RPAC Events Using the PAC Management System
Omni Shoreham, Capitol Room, East Conference Center
- 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – RPAC Online Fundraising Email Campaigns
Omni Shoreham Capitol Room, East Conference Center
- 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – NAR PAC Management System Best Practices
Omni Shoreham, Cabinet Room, West Conference Center
- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – GAD Reception
Location: Bar Deco (Near Chinatown and Capital One Arena)
717 6th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001
- 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – RPAC 50th Anniversary Celebration (Sold Out)
National Building Museum
Friday, May 17
- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. – GAD Professional Development Session: Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR Champions Train the Trainer class (Registration Required)
Washington Hilton, Monroe Room, Concourse Level
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Government Affairs Directors Meeting
Washington Hilton, International Ballroom East, Concourse Level
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – State and Local Breakout Meetings
Washington Hilton
State Breakout – Georgetown East Room, Concourse Level
Local Breakout – International Ballroom East, Concourse Level
- 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Regional Caucus Meetings
Marriott Wardman Park and Omni Shoreham Hotels
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| Advocacy News |
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2019 GAD Institute Registration – Opens Soon!
Keep your eyes peeled! The Government Affairs Directors Institute registration opens soon. Join us in The Queen City, Cincinnati, July 16 – 18 along with 250 of the best GAD colleagues in the world. The event provides a means for REALTOR® association lobbyists, policy and regulatory professionals, and those who communicate REALTOR® Party Advocacy strategy to their members and their communities to exchange ideas and best practices, and gain valuable career skills and networking opportunities, providing the best value and information back to the real estate industry.
Registration Fee: $550; $600 after June 15.
*In the March GADFly we advertised that “The Pollsters” would be the keynote speakers at this year’s Institute. They unfortunately cancelled, and we will fill the keynote speaker session soon. |
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Limited Seating Left - Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR® Champions Train the Trainer Course
On May 17 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Washington Hilton Hotel, NAR will be offering a Train the Trainer course in Washington, D.C., to provide GADs an opportunity to become eligible to teach this offering to volunteer leaders, RPAC trustees, Government Affairs Committee members, and interested staffers. The Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR® Champions course provides time-tested methods for screening, identifying and ultimately choosing the best political candidates who will support issues important to REALTORS® and real estate. For more information, contact Kyle Lambert London.
Register today. |
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One-on-one Consulting for Small REALTOR® Associations
If you are a small association wondering how to take advantage of the REALTOR® Party Community Outreach grants to help revitalize your downtown, NAR staff is here to help. Submit the Grant Outreach Assistance Questionnaire, which is part of the new Rural Outreach Initiative, to tell us about your community and its challenges. We will then get in touch with you to discuss strategies to address these challenges and what grants could help fund a project. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz. |
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Land Use Initiative: 2019 Q1 Report
Fifteen requests were processed and approved during the first quarter of 2019. Environmental-related issues came up in Sandwich, Mass., with proposed beachfront regulations. And in Birmingham, Ala., a storm water management ordinance was reviewed. Several requests were made by state REALTOR® associations, for example land bank legislation in Nevada, housing transfer agreements in New Jersey, solar systems and restrictive covenants in Delaware. Other projects include review of a condo conversion proposal in Somerville, Mass., and “Right to Survive” ordinance in Denver. Review more details of the 2019 Q1 Report. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068. |
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State Resources
State Legislative Monitor: A number of states have enacted laws to attract more investment for Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) by conforming to the federal tax code. NAR is monitoring more than 340 pieces of legislation related to affordable housing, inclusionary zoning, housing supply, workforce housing, and rent control. This year, ten states have enacted remote notary laws (Ariz., Idaho, Iowa, Ky., Mont., Nev., N.D., S.D., Utah, Wash.). Arizona became the first state to recognize out of state licenses (HB 2569). Review weekly reports.
State Issues Tracker: The home inspector issue was recently updated for any legislative or regulatory changes for all states. Of note, Ohio and New Mexico passed legislation requiring home inspectors to be licensed. The Hawaii state auditor submitted a report to the governor and legislature finding that the regulation of home inspectors is notrequired to protect Hawaiian consumers. Twelve states and four territories do not regulate home inspectors (Colo., Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kan., Maine, Mich., Minn., Mont., Neb., Utah, Wyo., the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Access the full database.
For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068. |
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Do You Have a New GAD Staffer?
Update any and all GAD contact information in NAR’s GAD Directory. Are you a new Government Affairs Director, serving your association in a GA or REALTOR® Party capacity? Please add (or remove) any contact information there. Help us keep this list accurate and up to date. Thanks! |
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| RPAC Fundraising Update |
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2019 President’s Circle Rounds and Deadline
Round Three of the President’s Circle will launch on Monday, May 13. The deadline for President’s Circle members to invest their first $500 is May 31, 2019. For more information, contact: Avery Walker at 202-383-7510. |
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RPAC Fundraising Awards Celebration & Hall of Fame Induction
Be sure to save the date for the 2018 RPAC Fundraising Awards Ceremony, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Marriott Ballroom of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Join us to cheer on your association as well as the 189 REALTORS® and staff who will be inducted into the 2018 RPAC Hall of Fame Class. View the 2018 RPAC Hall of Fame roster, and President’s Cup and Triple Crown Award details. The awards ceremony is also an opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of RPAC. Wear white and gold, and encourage your members to do the same. Enjoy the celebratory atmosphere with an adult beverage and noisemakers, courtesy of NAR. For more information, contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029. |
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Corporate Ally Program
2019 has brought some exciting changes to the Corporate Ally Program! Want to know how it can benefit your association AND members? Contact Allyson Nelson at 202-383-1156. |
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| NAR’s Economic Outlook |
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Most Popular Areas for Millennials: Where They Move and Stay - NAR analyzed employment, population, income levels and housing conditions across the country to find the best markets for millennial homebuyers. |
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Closings Slip 4.9 Percent in March - Existing-home sales slid in large part from a slowdown in upper-end homes. March existing-home sales from NAR were released April 22. |
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Infographic: States With the Strongest Job Growth - Looking at percent change in employment for March 2019 from one year ago, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, South Dakota, and Wyoming saw the highest job growth. |
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Pending Home Sales Climb 3.8% in March - Three of the four major regions of the U.S. saw growth last month, with a minor slip in contract activity in the Northeast. |
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REALTORS® and Sustainability - 41% of respondents reported their MLS has green data fields, and respondents typically used the green data fields to promote green features and energy information. |
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For more information on NAR’s Economic Outlook, contact Meredith Dunn at 202-383-1207. |
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Message from the GAD Chair
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Matthew Ledger
GAD Chair
REALTORS® of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale |
With the 2019 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo just a couple weeks away, I just wanted to highlight a couple of our meetings, please see below.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. - GAD Briefing on Hill Visits
Omni Shoreham, Ambassador Room, Lower Level
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Federal Priority Issues Briefing
Marriott Wardman Park, Marriott Ballroom, Lobby Level
Friday, May 17, 2019
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Government Affairs Directors Meeting
Washington Hilton, International Ballroom
Of course, these are not all the meetings, but this is a good start! For a complete list of all the meeting dates/times, click here.
For those traveling to Washington, D.C., for the first time, if you have questions, any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at mleger@rapb.com or my cell 561-635-2118. Whether this is your first time attending or your tenth, I encourage everyone to be active and participate in the dialogue at your committee meetings. When you’re not at committee meetings or running around on Hill Visits, engage your peers and your fellow GADs. We only get to see each other a couple times a year, take full advantage of the resources around you!
And now the fun stuff… The GAD Reception! This year’s GAD Reception will be on Thursday, May 16 at Bar Deco from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A big thank you to Real Strategies for sponsoring this year’s reception!
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon. Safe travels to all!
Matthew
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