Board approves expanding local government affairs

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® (PAR) Board of Directors earlier this week approved the implementation of a new pilot program to use field representatives to work with local associations to monitor local government issues. All real estate is local and the same can be said about politics. The pilot program’s goal is to make sure private property rights and other real estate concerns are being addressed in every locality in the Commonwealth.

The first year of the program will focus on the middle of the state from Bradford to Bedford counties. Two field reps will be hired to cover the territory, monitor local ordinances and work with Realtor® associations. After the first year, the program will be evaluated and, if appropriate, expanded to other parts of the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania has the second most local jurisdictions of any state and the largest state legislature. We have 2,562 municipalities in Pennsylvania and the Realtor® organization is currently only covering 790. PAR’s goal is to have grassroots political advocacy in all local municipalities.

The PAR Board of Directors overwhelmingly supported the implementation of the pilot, which is seen as a sister program to the existing government affairs efforts established in the more densely populated portions of the state. Public policy support is considered one of the most valuable services of the organization, and this program will expand this core service into previously under-served areas.

In addition to the field rep pilot program, the PAR Board approved changes to the state association’s Legislative Committee and Realtors® Political Action Committee, approved the 2015 operating budget, and revised the statewide Professional Standards system.

Officers for 2015 were elected by the board including: President Ron Croushore (Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh), President-elect Todd Polinchock (Bucks County Association of Realtors®), First Vice President Kathy McQuilkin (Suburban West Realtors® Association), and Treasurer Todd Umbenhauer (Montgomery County Association of Realtors®). Kim Skumanick (Greater Scranton Board of Realtors®) will serve as the Immediate Past President.