April 2007 Field Report -
Southeast Michigan
By: Tony Daunt – Southeast Michigan Field Director
REALTORS® To Take On Washington
The National Association of REALTORS® will be holding its annual Mid-Year meetings in Washington, D.C. and many Michigan REALTORS® are planning to participate in the NAR committee meetings, receptions, and Capitol Hill visits.
The conference will be May 14-17 and MAR members and staff will be taking part in a number of Hill Visits with Michigan Members of Congress to discuss with them issues that affect the real estate industry.
As you may recall, REALTORS® worked aggressively last year to pass legislation that would allow associations, like NAR, to pool its members to obtain affordable quality health insurance. Democrats wanted to propose some of the 67 amendments they proposed in committee without success. They then filibustered the legislation, which requires 60 votes to end the filibuster and bring a vote, known as cloture.
And there it met its fate. The legislation did not get the 60 votes required and thus died because debate could not be ended. At the end of the process, REALTORS® are still not able to pool together on a national level to obtain decent coverage and tolerable rates. With Democrats now in control of both the House and Senate, legislation favorable to NAR has little, if any, chance of passing.
Legislation that would prohibit federally-chartered banks from starting real estate brokerages, on the other hand, does stand a better chance of passage. It will be one of the issues that will be brought up with REALTORS® converge on Capitol Hill.
Another key issue to home ownership is maintain the mortgage interest deduction. REALTORS® will be discussing the importance of the deduction and how that helps the housing market.
Every year, Michigan REALTORS® perform a duty guaranteed in the Constitution — that is, petitioning their elected official to vote a certain way. It is a foundation of our society. Another foundation is voting and supporting candidates for office that support the problems and issues that affect REALTORS® the most. Obtaining affordable quality health insurance is such an issue.
To get involved and have your say, please visit realtoractioncenter.com.
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