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Special Assessment for 2011 C.A.R./N.A.R. Dues Billing Cycle

Based on prior communication you have received from C.A.R., you may already be aware of the fact that C.A.R.’s Board of Directors voted to add a special assessment to the 2011 dues. We all know that instituting such an increase is never an easy thing to do. However, you should know that much debate and deliberation occurred surrounding this issue. Given the increasingly competitive and challenging legislative environment that currently exists, it was determined that now, more than ever, it is critical for us to bolster our efforts in the legislative arena.

Statewide, the influence of REALTORS® has diminished over the past few years, namely due to C.A.R.’s Political Action Committees (PACs) consistently being outspent by numerous special interest groups that often stand in opposition to the interests of real estate professionals. Thirty percent of PAC monies collected via the special assessment will be set aside for local political races. We want to make sure we help elect the best local officials so we can effectively promote REALTOR® business interests and advocate against issues that hit you right in the pocket book-- business license taxes, retrofit ordinances, and the like, just to name a few.

This special assessment also is warranted because, over the last three years, the percentage of REALTORS® who contributed to C.A.R.’s PACs has decreased to 20 percent from 30 percent in 2006. Threats to the real estate industry, REALTORS®, and consumers are ongoing and continue to arise time and again. For example, this year alone, C.A.R.’s legislative team thrice defeated a 3-percent independent contractor withholding proposal that would have accelerated income tax payments for REALTORS®. C.A.R. also successfully opposed legislation to impose transfer taxes at point of sale.

It is important to remember that all REALTORS® benefit from C.A.R.’s PACs. Moreover, your state association’s PACs are completely bipartisan. Monies support candidates and elected officials who share the values of the real estate industry, regardless of political affiliation, as well as issues that directly impact your ability to do business. In essence, C.A.R.’s PACs support the “REALTOR® party.”

Although the special assessment is mandatory, if you prefer to allocate your portion of the special assessment toward C.A.R.’s general fund for non-candidate political issues, you may do so by letting us know. Monies from C.A.R.’s general fund for non-candidate political issues are used for educational and mobilization efforts on issues specifically impacting REALTORS® and similar efforts that do not involve contribution to candidates.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of why this assessment is so necessary for political survival. Please keep in mind, this assessment is something we cannot afford to do without. For more details about this assessment, please visit http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/RAA/RAAFAQ/.

Please click HERE for a powerpoint presentation that you can share with your colleagues and offices.

Sincerely,
Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS®

Date Posted: 9/3/2010
Number of Views: 403

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Latest News
Special Assessment for 2011 C.A.R./N.A.R. Dues Billing Cycle Based on prior communication you have received from C.A.R., you may already be aware of the fact that C.A.R.’s Board of Directors voted to add a special assessment to the 2011 dues. We all know that instituting such an increase is never an easy thing to do. However, you should know that much debate and deliberation occurred surrounding this issue. Given the increasingly competitive and challenging legislative environment that currently exists, it was determined that now, more than ever, it is critical for us to bolster our efforts in the legislative arena. Statewide, the influence of REALTORS® has diminished over the past few years, namely due to C.A.R.’s Political Action Committees (PACs) consistently being outspent by numerous special interest groups that often stand in opposition to the interests of real estate professionals. Thirty percent of PAC monies collected via the special assessment will be set aside for local political races. We want to make sure we help elect the best local officials so we can effectively promote REALTOR® business interests and advocate against issues that hit you right in the pocket book-- business license taxes, retrofit ordinances, and the like, just to name a few. This special assessment also is warranted because, over the last three years, the percentage of REALTORS® who contributed to C.A.R.’s PACs has decreased to 20 percent from 30 percent in 2006. Threats to the real estate industry, REALTORS®, and consumers are ongoing and continue to arise time and again. For example, this year alone, C.A.R.’s legislative team thrice defeated a 3-percent independent contractor withholding proposal that would have accelerated income tax payments for REALTORS®. C.A.R. also successfully opposed legislation to impose transfer taxes at point of sale. It is important to remember that all REALTORS® benefit from C.A.R.’s PACs. Moreover, your state association’s PACs are completely bipartisan. Monies support candidates and elected officials who share the values of the real estate industry, regardless of political affiliation, as well as issues that directly impact your ability to do business. In essence, C.A.R.’s PACs support the “REALTOR® party.” Although the special assessment is mandatory, if you prefer to allocate your portion of the special assessment toward C.A.R.’s general fund for non-candidate political issues, you may do so by letting us know. Monies from C.A.R.’s general fund for non-candidate political issues are used for educational and mobilization efforts on issues specifically impacting REALTORS® and similar efforts that do not involve contribution to candidates. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of why this assessment is so necessary for political survival. Please keep in mind, this assessment is something we cannot afford to do without. For more details about this assessment, please visit http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/RAA/RAAFAQ/. Please click HERE for a powerpoint presentation that you can share with your colleagues and offices. Sincerely, Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® Date Posted: 9/3/2010 Number of Views: 403 Return
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