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12.2.05 -
"CHAMPAGNE & DIAMONDS" RPAC FUNDRAISER BIG SUCCESS
At the annual LVAR Holiday Party held at the Hotel Bethlehem, members of the Association had the opportunity to participate in the “Champagne & Diamonds” RPAC fundraiser.
Those who contributed $100 to the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) automatically became a “$99 Club” member, which entitles them to having their name printed in the Pennsylvania REALTOR® - the monthly periodical published by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®.
The event was a success in more ways than one. The generosity of those 55 LVAR members who contributed to RPAC can take credit for helping raise $7,800 toward LVAR's 2006 goal! That means LVAR is already on a record pace toward exceeding the amount of RPAC dollars raised in 2005!
To learn more about RPAC, or to make a safe contribution online, click here.
12.1.05 -
CONGRESSMAN DENT MEETS WITH
LVAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On Thursday, December 1, the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS® had the honor of Congressman Charlie Dent’s (R, PA-15) presence at their Board of Directors meeting at Villa Pazzetti in Bethlehem.
Congressman Dent updated the Board on the ongoing work in Washington, D.C. As member of the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives, Congressman Dent also provided the Board with insight on the discussions of Route 22 congestions, as well as a number of other capital projects taking place in the Lehigh Valley.
Congressman Dent was elected to the United States House of Representatives last year. He previously served 14 years in the Pennsylvania State Legislature. His Congressional District covers Lehigh, Northampton, and parts of Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
During his tenure in the State Legislature, and in Congress, Congressman Dent has shown a strong record of supporting REALTOR® issues and overall support of the real estate industry. He supported License Reciprocity legislation, voted in favor of the Small Business Health Fairness Act, and he’s a cosponsor of the Affordable Housing Tax Credits legislation.
For further information on Congressman Dent, please visit his website at:
http://dent.house.gov/
12.1.05 -
CALL-TO-ACTION ALERT!
HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION
AND PREVENT A SALES TAX ON SERVICES!
PAR has just activated their website for you to send a pre-written letter to your State Legislator to let them you oppose a sales tax on services. Simply click here to send an email to your Legislator.
As you may have heard by now, the State Legislature has introduced a measure that would impose a 6 percent sales tax on real estate services!
LVAR opposes this proposal because virtually all real estate services involved in a home sale may be subjected to a sales tax. This includes: credit reports, mortgage origination, attorney’s fees, surveys, brokerage commissions, appraisal fees, home inspection fees, title fees, construction services, architectural services, and site preparation. Adding a sales tax on real estate services would drive up the cost of real estate, both residential and commercial, and would price many lower- and middle-income homebuyers out of the market. Learn more about this issue by clicking here.
The state House of Representatives could vote on this proposal as soon as Monday, December 5. Your voice can make a difference! Click here to send a letter to your state House member asking them to vote NO on the Scavello amendment to Special Session House Bill 1.
Please return any feedback you receive on this issue to Ryan Conrad, LVAR Government Affairs Director at ryan@lvar.org, or via phone at (610) 882-4100.
Your help is crucial! |