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On Wednesday, over 40 SILVAR members joined hundreds of REALTORS® from across the state in Sacramento for Legislative Day, the time of year when California REALTORS® personally meet with their legislators and discuss issues affecting the industry, their clients and their business. REALTORS® make up the largest group to visit Sacramento each year and speak to their local state Assembly and Senate representatives.
Highlights of the California Association of REALTORS® morning briefing at the Sacramento Convention Center included welcome remarks by C.A.R. President Don Faught and other C.A.R. officers, and a special address by Governor Jerry Brown, who noted the importance of REALTORS® and what they do.
“You are in an important place. We have to work with you because you are so powerful,” exclaimed Brown. “We’re all working to make California a great place.”
The governor told REALTORS® that California “is on the move. Great opportunities are happening in Silicon Valley, Orange County … in manufacturing, warehousing, technology. Housing is coming back. We have got to continue.”
C.A.R. Chief Lobbyist Alex Creel briefed REALTORS® on hot issues and important points they needed to convey to their political representatives. They included:
Vote Yes to SB 30 (Calderon) and AB 42 (Perea) – Short Sale Debt Forgiveness. These bills would conform California law to federal tax law, making clear that debt forgiven in a short sale is not income. These bills were placed on “suspense files” because they are deemed to cost a certain threshold and are to be eventually considered once the state budget has passed. In the meantime, families are stuck in limbo because those currently in short sale escrows can’t finalize these transactions without the fear of potentially incurring state tax liability. Sellers need to know now that the debt forgiven is not going to be treated as income for state tax purposes. REALTORS® told their representatives that the state law needs to conform to the federal tax law passed on debt forgiveness. It’s the right thing to do and taxpayers “shouldn’t be held in suspense.”
Vote No to AB 905 (Ting) – Private Transfer “Tax.” This measure seeks to create a private transfer tax to fund environmental improvements to a property and forces a financial burden on future owners of property with no oversight, no accountability, and no limit on how long the tax can be imposed, even years after the improvement has been paid for or the useful life of the improvement has been exhausted. REALTORS® explained there is no connection between the fee and the actual cost of the improvement, no oversight on the entities receiving the funds, no “cap” on the collection or the duration of the fee. Also, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has already adopted regulations restricting the imposition of private transfer taxes.
Vote No to AB 1164 (Lowenthal) – Wage Liens on Property. This bill creates a super-lien for wage claim disputes. Under existing law, trades people and others who work to improve a property have the right to record a mechanics lien against the property for payment for that work. An employee who has a wage dispute can do the same with an employer. This measure seeks to expand the mechanics lien concept so an employee may record a lien against any property owned by the employer, even property that has no connection to the dispute. REALTORS® explained to legislators that legal remedies for wage disputes already exist. This measure denies property owners due process since the lien can be filed without notice or opportunity to contest the claim; the lien would increase the cost of loans and reduce the availability of lending options for borrowers; and the lien would allow an employee’s wages dispute to cloud title on all property owned by the owner.
Vote No on AB 1229 (Atkins) – Rent Control. This measure would dramatically weaken the rent control limitations contained in the landmark “Costa-Hawkins” law sponsored by C.A.R. in 1995. Under this existing law, new construction of rental units is not subject to local rent control ordinances. This measure seeks to use inclusionary zoning to allow local governments to create zones in which certain mandates are placed on builders. In this case, the mandate would be to set aside a certain percentage of units at below-market rent levels. REALTORS® told legislators this measure would discourage the creation of new rental housing at a time when it is most needed. The legislature has repeatedly made it clear its opposition to expanding rent control to new construction.
California Governor Jerry Brown will speak to REALTORS® at the California Association of REALTORS® Morning Briefing on Legislative Day. SILVAR members are encouraged to participate in this important event, which will be held on Wednesday, May 1. The deadline to sign up is Monday, April 22.
Legislative Day is the day REALTORS® from all over California travel to Sacramento and meet with their elected officials to discuss critical legislation that can affect REALTORS®, homeowners and private property rights. REALTORS® make up the largest group that travel to the nation’s capital to speak with their legislators.
When members arrive in Sacramento, they will receive a special briefing at the Sacramento Convention Center from California Association of REALTORS® lobbyists, REALTOR® leadership, Governor Brown, and other special guests. A joint luncheon with members of SILVAR, the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) and San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) will follow the briefing.
After lunch, SILVAR REALTORS® will attend meetings with all of the legislators in Silicon Valley, including Senators Jim Beall and Jerry Hill, and Assembly Members Paul Fong and Rich Gordon. At these meetings, REALTORS® will have the opportunity to discuss important real estate issues, such as private property rights, legal reforms and housing opportunity policies.
Personally meeting our legislators and discussing real estate-related issues that may adversely affect our clients – buyers, sellers, homeowners and private property rights – makes a difference! For more information about Legislative Day, contact SILVAR Government Affairs Director Jessica Epstein at (408) 200-0100.
Legislative Day is the day when REALTORS® from all over California travel to Sacramento and meet with their elected officials to discuss critical legislation that can affect REALTORS®, homeowners and private property rights. This year Legislative Day is on Wednesday, May 2.
Once REALTORS® arrive in Sacramento they will receive a special briefing from California Association of REALTORS® leadership and honorable guests, including California Governor Jerry Brown, who has confirmed that he will be speaking at the Morning Briefing.
A luncheon will follow the briefing. Dr. Tony Quinn, co-editor of California Target Book and non- partisan analyst of California’s legislative and congressional elections, will be the guest speaker at the luncheon with members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®. Dr. Quinn has 40 years experience with California state government. Currently, he is engaged in writing and elections analysis. During his career he has headed several public relations firms, directed the Office of Economic Research in the California Department of Commerce, served as Chief Consultant for Elections and Reapportionment and Policy Director of the Assembly Republican Caucus. He also served as a member of California Fair Political Practices Commission and assistant to the California Attorney General.
After lunch Silicon Valley REALTORS® will meet with their legislators, including Senators Elaine Alquist, Sam Blakeslee and Joe Simitian, and Assembly members Jim Beall, Paul Fong, and Rich Gordon. At these meetings REALTORS® will have the opportunity to discuss important real estate issues, such as private property rights, legal reforms and housing opportunity policies.
California REALTORS® are encouraged to attend Legislative Day. REALTORS® make up one of the largest groups that hit Sacramento every year.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 