Volunteers are needed for the RPAC Telethon on June 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Suburban West REALTORS Association. Members who are interested in participating may contact Vinnie Pagnini at vpagnini@suburbanwestrealtors.com or at 1-866-495-SWRA.
Since 1969, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has given REALTORS® an important voice in the political process. While as a REALTOR® you play a significant role in your own success, it is critical that an environment exists that doesn’t hamper the way you do business. Members who contribute to RPAC not only help improve the business climate, but also reduce liability and ultimately receive direct savings.
Throughout the year, members are encouraged to make a voluntary financial contribution that is an investment in the future of the industry. 100% of your contribution is used to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates, regardless of party affiliation. Of this total, 70% remains in state to be used to help in state and local elections. The remaining 30% is earmarked to fund key national U.S. House and Senate races, and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a.
Current RPAC Fundraising Co-Chair and longtime contributor Dominic Cardone, indicates, “I always say to members if real estate is your profession, politics is your business. I also point out that 90 percent of what RPAC does is not get pro REALTOR® legislation passed; but rather stop anti-REALTOR legislation from being enacted.”
Nationally, more than 400,000 REALTORS® have contributed to RPAC, making NAR one of the 10 most powerful and influential lobbying organizations in the country, according to Fortune Magazine. Locally, more than 1,520 members contributed to RPAC from Nov. 2008 - April 2009. All told, this support has allowed for a number of legislative initiatives and successes:
Local
- Repealing West Brandywine Use and Occupancy requirements
- Repealing East Fallowfield Use and Occupancy requirements
- Defeating point of sale reassessment policies in Rose Tree-Media school district
Pennsylvania
- Opposing tax on REALTOR® commissions
- Enacted license reciprocity
- Opposing real estate transfer tax increase
National
- Increasing the political and grassroots power of REALTORS®
- Keeping nationally chartered banks out of the Real Estate brokerage business
- Stimulating housing opportunities and protecting the efficiency of the mortgage finance system
- Increasing the transparency of the Real Estate transaction
- Promoting health insurance affordability for REALTORS®.
Members are encouraged to show their support of RPAC in any financial way they can. We greatly appreciate that many members contributed in 2007 and hope that many more will join their colleagues in contributing in 2008. If you are interested in contributing, please call 1-866-495-SWRA or go to the Payment/Registration Center and, once logged, click on the link for Contribution.
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