For three days in January, Association volunteer members
and leaders took time away from their businesses and
families to travel to Tallahassee, the state Capital, to
advocate for Realtor® issues on behalf of the Association
and Florida Realtors®. They met with our entire
delegation from Lee County one-on-one to discuss
important legislative priorities set by members. Our
elected delegation includes Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto,
Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, Majority Whip Dane
Eagle, Representative Heather Fitzenhagen, and a special
recognition to our outgoing senior Representative Matt
Caldwell who is termed out this year and will be pursuing
the office of Agriculture Commissioner in 2018. We have a
very supportive delegation that always takes time to meet
with us while in Tallahassee and in the district. 2017 was
an immensely successful session for the Realtors® and we
look to build on that success in 2018.
Our top priorities for 2018 that were discussed are:
1.
Housing Trust Funds - Increased funding for Sadowski
Trust funds. These provide desperately needed funding
for workforce and affordable housing programs across the
state. Realtors® advocate for eliminating sweeps from this
trust fund.
2.
Vacation Rentals - Enacting legislation concerning
vacation rentals that treats homeowners equitably.
3. Business Rent Tax - Last year’s reduction of this
tax saved business owners $60 million dollars in taxes.
Continuing this reduction is a step in the right direction.
4. Assignment of Benefits – Reducing Assignment of
Benefits abuse which in turn drives up insurance premiums
for property owners.
8 RPCRA.ORG | MAR/APR 2018
Other subjects we discussed included water quality,
tourism, and transportation issues for our area.
Great American Realtor® Days is critical to advocating
for Realtor® issues and private property rights. This
would be impossible without volunteer members like you
and without your investment in your profession through
donations to the Realtor® Political Action Committee.
INVEST TODAY!
https://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/RPAC/
invest.cfm
Please contact Chris Lopez, Dir. Of Public Policy, with any
questions or feedback regarding GARD and the Legislative
Priorities at [email protected]
Contributions to Florida Realtors® PAC and RPAC are voluntary and will be used for political
purposes and support of state, local, and federal candidates and political parties and in issue
initiatives. Making a contribution is not a condition of membership in the association and
a member may refuse to contribute without suffering any reprisal. Seventy percent of each
contribution is used by Florida Realtors® PAC and Florida Realtors® PIC to support state and
local candidates and state and local issues. Consult your local board/association for the exact
percentage going toward each. The balance is sent to National RPAC and is charged against your
contribution limits prescribed by 2 U.S.C. 441a. Contributions are not deductible for Federal
income tax purposes.