Legislative advocacy helps our clients and the industry

We hear a lot about legislative advocacy, and people often ask me why I believe it’s so important to be part of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® legislative efforts. I’m passionate about legislative issues. I enjoy following the process, working with my fellow Realtors®, and lobbying legislators to help property owners and our industry. And I’ve seen the results of our advocacy.

In our business, it’s absolutely crucial that we be involved in legislative efforts. We successfully removed a mandate that required the installation of sprinkler systems in new home construction, leaving the decision instead to consumers. We know that an increase in realty transfer tax and point-of-sale requirements can keep many first-time homebuyers from purchasing a home. We’ve seen how changes to the national flood insurance program have affected our clients’ ability to sell their homes. As Realtors®, our voices are heard when we work together.

Currently, our association is engaged on several major issues. In Pennsylvania, we’re supporting Senate Bill 76, which would offer school property tax reform. We’ve launched a major grassroots campaign, including the RealReform76.com website. I hope you’ve visited this site and sent an email to your state senator. Please encourage your clients to do so as well. PAR is also working to pass changes to the real estate licensing law to increase educational requirements and to allow Realtors® to conduct broker price opinions in a limited capacity with broker supervision.

At the federal level, Realtors® have been working to maintain the mortgage interest deduction (MID) and to address overly tight credit standards while monitoring the impact of caps on fees and points. Last week, the Senate passed S. 1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, to delay some aspects of the Biggert-Waters Law, which reauthorized and reformed the National Flood Insurance Program. Our focus has now shifted to the House of Representatives to pass this critical piece of legislation.

Getting involved in the legislative process can be as easy as:

• Responding to the associations’ calls to action. Your local association, PAR and the National Association of Realtors® closely monitor legislation that can affect the way you do business. When they see an ordinance or a bill is moving, they often send a call to action to members, asking you to respond quickly to let legislators know where Realtors® stand on an issue. There is power in our numbers. And let me assure you, our elected officials notice when they receive hundreds of emails from their Realtor constituents.

• Getting to know your legislators – not just when we have an important issue. Building a relationship with them helps you when you need to discuss a particular bill. Make an appointment when they’re home in their district office, or to visit them at the Capitol while you’re in Harrisburg. Educating legislators about private property rights is another way to advocate on behalf of the association.

• Becoming a key contact. As you develop a relationship with a state or federal legislator, you may want to consider becoming a key contact for them. Our key contacts agree to notify their legislators on hot button issues. It’s an effective way to quickly contact them when an issue is being voted on.

• Keeping up-to-date on current issues. Sign up to receive PAR’s Capitol Report so you’re able to read about current issues. You’re also welcome to attend PAR’s Legislative Committee meetings at PAR’s Business Meetings held in Harrisburg.

The legislative process can be a slow one at times, and our advocacy involves multiple steps in order to achieve our objectives. When we work together we will succeed in reaching those goals.