Monthly Archives: June 2017

Texas REALTORS® Bring Clarity to Voting Process

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In a democracy, it's in everyone's best interests that ballots are clear and straightforward. But when the names of propositions are duplicated on other propositions on the same ballot, as was happening in Texas, voters can become confused.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) recognized that the commonsense solution was to mandate a simple system of naming conventions for all propositions admitted to a ballot in the state. The association had little difficulty convincing state lawmakers, and in late May, the Texas Senate and House of Representatives unanimously approved Senate Bill 957. 

The good news continued on June 1, when Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law, effective immediately.

In Texas, the governor has up to 20 days after the legislative session ends to sign or veto a bill—bills that are not vetoed by then automatically become law. That date this year is June 18, so the governor’s quick action was notable.

“Historically, bills can take a while to make their way to the governor’s desk after receiving the Legislature’s support, and the governor often takes all 20 days,” says TAR Director of Legislative Affairs Daniel Gonzalez. “It’s unheard of that a bill like this would be signed in five business days, but that just reinforces the across-the-board support for this legislation.”

The new law will distinctly differentiate ballot propositions, bringing much-needed clarity to the voting process. Starting in the upcoming November election,

  • state propositions will appear first on the ballot, followed by local propositions;
  • all state propositions will have numerical names, while local propositions will have letters of the alphabet; and
  • all propositions will begin with name of the entity ordering the election.

In the Texas Senate, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described SB 957 as a “little bill with a big impact.”

The bill received bipartisan support throughout the legislative process. It was co-authored by two senators, one Republican and one Democrat; it was sponsored by representatives of both parties; and, in a rare display of unity, it was supported by the entire legislative body.

“We appreciate that every member of the 85th Texas Legislature voted in support of this bill all the way through the legislative process,” says TAR Chairman Vicki Fullerton. “SB 957 received bipartisan support in both chambers because lawmakers know voters deserve clarity about what’s on our ballots.”

This solves a years-long problem, adds Brandon Alderete, TAR’s Director of Political Affairs.  As a recent example, he cites the November 2015 election, when REALTORS® were supporting a proposed amendment to the state constitution, known as "Proposition 1," which would increase the homestead exemption and ban real estate transfer taxes.

At the same time, however, a highly controversial local "Proposition 1" was on the ballot in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city.  The identical names muddied the waters and threatened the success of the constitutional amendment, which actually had substantial legislative and popular support.

With help of the REALTOR® Party, TAR launched an energetic voter awareness campaign to cut through the confusion and ensure the voting public in Houston could distinguish between the two ballot measures called "Proposition 1."

"In that case," says Alderete, "we had a political interest in the outcome of the vote.  But in the bigger picture, the situation shined a light on the need for election transparency.  No matter what issues are at stake, confusion at the polls is detrimental to the democratic process. The REALTORS® know, and clearly the legislators agree, that this is good for all Texas voters."

To learn more about how the Texas Association of REALTORS® took the initiative to bring clarity to the voting process, contact Brandon C. Alderete, Director of Political Affairs, at 512-370-2124.

Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association REALTORS

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When an extreme and aggressive anti-development measure landed on the ballot in Los Angeles early last year, the Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS® took action.  It requested a Land Use Initiative review through the REALTOR® Party.  The association also secured an Issues Mobilization Grant for a strong opposition campaign.  Then it joined forces with an unlikely ally: the LA Labor Federation.  Together, Labor and the REALTORS® led a coalition to defeat the measure—one which sought to hold development in one of the nation's largest cities to a standard established just after WWII. 

Measure S, explains James Litz, Government Affairs Director of the BHGLAAR, would have had a disastrous impact on the city, and set a dangerous precedent for years to come.  Proposed by a deep-pocketed organization seeking to protect its own view of an attractive landmark, the draconian measure would have stopped development completely for two years, and disallowed zone changes in perpetuity, effectively preserving an antiquated piecemeal code dating back to 1946. Beyond the obvious threat to the housing needs of contemporary Los Angeles, notes Litz, there were businesses to consider: "There's a good chance we'll be hosting the Olympics in 2024, and we've got to prepare.  Imagine restaurants being denied sidewalk seating by our paralyzed zoning code!"  

A counter-initiative called “Build a Better LA” was launched, and while not as restrictive as Measure S, it would have created further barriers to construction by raising labor costs on every development.  BHGLAAR submitted the text of both Measure S and Build a Better LA to the REALTOR® Party to review Land Use ordinances.  The report received back, says Litz, confirmed the REALTORS®' deepest concerns about the future of development in Los Angeles, and provided spot-on analysis in support of the opposition campaign that had already been mounted—by the Labor industry.

"Such an extreme proposition required an unconventional coalition," says Rusty Hicks, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the LA Labor Federation.  Acknowledging that Labor and Business historically don't see eye-to-eye, he adds, "In this case, the REALTORS®, having a foot in both camps, so to speak, served as an important bridge, and helped us to form an especially strong and effective coalition.  Their facilitation in bringing together other unlikely partners was key to our success."

The resources the REALTORS® brought to the effort were also invaluable, he says.  Beyond the legal analysis, they supported the campaign with major funding from the REALTOR® Party, and the active involvement of many BHGLAAR members.  "Our membership was clearly concerned about the high profile 'Yes on S' campaign, which had the benefit of a huge inventory of billboards across the city," reports Litz.  "If they were at all skeptical of teaming up with Labor, they still threw themselves into the coalition's campaign to defeat the measure.  They participated in phone banks, and put signs outside their homes and offices.  Above all, they engaged in an energetic grassroots social media campaign."  Television ads, an extensive door-knocking effort, and an educational website called GoesTooFar.com also boosted the opposition effort.

"We found that voter awareness was the key," says Litz.  "When we could reach people about the truth behind Measure S, their vote turned against it."  At the end of the day, the measure was defeated by 69% of the vote.

Says Hicks, "I've long argued that you don't ever know someone until you've fought with him.  As tried-and-true 'battle buddies,' Labor and the REALTORS® are now working together to establish policy that will create more housing and job opportunities in Los Angeles.  Who'd have thought?  In the end, it's a positive outcome from a dire threat to both our industries."

Litz adds, "Beyond eliminating the immediate threat, we've also been able to leverage our win, politically.  We've just bailed the City Council out of a serious situation, and now it's up to them to be responsive to the needs of the city.  They're on notice that they must establish a viable new Zoning Plan, and make progress on affordable housing and housing for the homeless.  It's still an uphill battle, but I think we're already seeing a glimmer of progress."

To learn more about how the REALTORS® of Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles are forging strong partnerships to protect and promote housing and business opportunities in their metropolis, contact Government Affairs Director James Litz at 310-704-2767.

 

Cheyenne Board of REALTORS® Uses REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts & Consumer Advocacy Outreach to Encourage Voting in Special Election

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A penny saved is a penny earned, and in Wyoming's Laramie County, a penny tax is how most capital improvements in its various communities are funded.  Prior to a recent special election in which nine separate propositions to be supported by an additional 1% sales tax were put to a vote, the Cheyenne Board of REALTORS® launched a quick campaign to educate voters and get them to the polls.  Using the REALTOR® Party's Mobile Alerts and Consumer Advocacy Outreach programs, they raised awareness in their voting community: seven propositions passed, all of which will enhance Laramie County's safety and quality of life.

Lisa Tabke, Association Executive of the 350-member Cheyenne Board, first learned about the Consumer Advocacy Outreach program at the AE Institute, not long before the election.  When one of her members began campaigning hard for one of the propositions, which involved the construction of an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad to connect the business and residential districts of his community, Tabke realized her board could be promoting voter awareness of all the propositions on the ballot, through the Consumer Advocacy Outreach program.

"We didn't take a stance on any of the propositions," she explains.  As voter turn out in Laramie County is typically lower for special elections, their goal was simply to get the word out and explain each of the items on the ballot.  For this, they turned to the REALTOR® Party.  "The staff at the National Association of REALTORS® did it all for us!" says Tabke, "It's a wonderful resource.  We gave them our information, and they put together a text alert to our members, and two email messages to consumers in the Homeownership Matters database.  It was all really well done, and couldn't have been easier at our end."

The seven propositions that passed include the railroad overpass; construction of new fire stations, a new courthouse, and an all-purpose event facility; the expansion of the county jail; and a variety of public safety and infrastructure upgrades.  The total project cost approved by the voters amounts to nearly $90 million, and the county will be collecting those funds in the new Sales & Use tax come October, one penny at a time.

Tabke reports that her members are very pleased with the results, noting that her board has an active Public Policy Committee monitoring these matters. She adds that the REALTORS® are fortunate in having a strong relationship with both the County Commission and the Cheyenne City Council, both of which reach out to them about real estate issues, and that this most recent advocacy effort will only strengthen those bonds.  Although this election was not about real estate, per se, says Tabke, "Anything that can improve our communities and draw visitors to Laramie County is a good thing for REALTORS®, their clients, and their neighbors!"

To learn more about how the Cheyenne Board of REALTORS® used the REALTOR® Party Consumer Advocacy Outreach programs to support a tax campaign that will enhance the quality and safety of its communities, contact Association Executive Lisa Tabke at 307-634-0363.