5.25.07 NAR UPDATE ON MIDYEAR LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS IN DC On behalf of Jerry Giovaniello, NAR Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, you may view the May 2007 "Eye on the Hill" article by clicking here. “Eye on the Hill” is a monthly article series by Jerry providing information and perspectives on critical REALTOR political and public policy issues. The May 2007 issue of "Eye on the Hill" focuses on the recently completed Midyear Legislative Meetings. Click here to view the article. 5.25.07      PAR CAPITOL BRIEFS Welcome to the Capitol Briefs. This legislative summary is brought to you by the PAR Department of Government Affairs. The Briefs give an abstract of the actions occurring in the General Assembly that impact REALTORS® and the real estate industry. The Capitol Briefs is available for viewing on the PAR website. This edition of the Capitol Briefs includes: RELRA Amendment Passes Senate Committee Failure of Act 1 Indicates Need for True Reform House Approves Budget by Party-Line Vote Morgan Stanley Releases Report on Turnpike Lease Policy Center Report Supports Oil Company Tax PAR Continues to Fight RTT Increase U.S. House Passes GSE Reform Bill 5.22.07 POST-ELECTION UPDATE     Municipal primary elections – where voters choose their political party’s candidates for the various municipal and school board seats – are generally quiet, with little controversy and little public attention. Voter turnout is often dismal, especially when compared to Presidential elections. This year was no exception. Even with the controversial Act 1 referendum question appearing on all ballots throughout the Commonwealth, voters were not exactly turning out in droves on May 15. However, there are many key races to report on as LVAR prepares for candidate interviews in time for the November 6 general election. The results of this year’s local elections will directly impact the way REALTORS® do business across the Lehigh Valley. Here is a quick recap: Act 1 Referendum Voters in the Lehigh Valley soundly rejected the Act 1 ballot questions in 17 out of 17 school districts. The trend in the Lehigh Valley was consistent with the rest of the Commonwealth, where voters in only 9 out of 498 school districts approved the tax shifting question. It’s back to the drawing board for the State Legislature as they try once again to craft a new law to provide meaningful property tax relief to property owners. Lehigh County  The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners will see tremendous change in November with three open seats up for grabs in addition to only one incumbent running. Republicans Andy Roman, Roger Reis, Dean Browning, and Brent Labenberg will face Democrats Rich Gawlik, William Leiner Jr., Gloria Hamm, and Kevin Easterling. The Allentown City Council will also welcome some new faces this year with two open seats and one incumbent running. Republican incumbent David Baush and newcomer Robert Smith will face Democrats Jeannette Eichenwald, Michael Donovan, and Peter Schweyer as they compete for three seats on council. Dominated by an almost 3 to 1 Democrat advantage, the Republicans face an uphill battle. For complete election results in Lehigh County, click here. Northampton County The Northampton County Council had only two contested seats in the primary election (out of 5 seats total). Incumbent Lamont McClure defeated Will Power for the Democratic nomination in District 3, and John Maher defeated William Hall for the Democratic nomination in District 4. With Phil Mitman not seeking re-election, the City of Easton will have a new Mayor next year. Sal Panto defeated Michael Fleck in competitive Democratic Primary. Panto will go on to face Republican Gary Bertsch in November. As for City Council, Democrats Kenneth Brown, Jeffrey Warren, and Elinor Warner will face Republicans Roger Ruccles, Bill Timman, and Peter Melan for three spots on the council. With a field of seven Democratic candidates vying for only three seats on Bethlehem City Council, three of them already sitting incumbents, competition was fierce. In the end, Democratic incumbents Robert Donchez and Gordon Mower went on to victory, with the third seat going to political newcomer William Reynolds. Reynolds defeated long-time incumbent Magdalena Szabo. The Democratic nominees will go on to face Esther Lee, the lone Republican in the city dominated by Democrats. For complete election results in Northampton County, click here. 5.2.07 LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER PERCY DOUGHERTY MEETS WITH LVAR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE     Shown above (from left to right) – George Raad, Government Affairs Committee Chair; Dr. Percy Dougherty, Lehigh County Commissioner; Luis Campos, LVAR-PAC Chair.   The LVAR Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is continuing to work on establishing an open dialogue and building strong relationships with elected officials across the Lehigh Valley.   This month’s Roundtable Series featured Dr. Percy Dougherty (R), Chairman of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Dougherty had an in-dept discussion this week with the GAC and provided insight into the workings of county government, along with updates on important issues such as property taxes, countywide reassessment, and encouraging smart growth through proper planning. He insisted that while the County has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, it must continue to grow and must be done so in a way that fosters smart growth and regional planning. He encouraged REALTORS® to be a part of the dialogue. Commissioner Dougherty has been on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners since 1993, and has served as Chairman since 2000.     The Roundtable Series serve as a forum for local elected officials to share with our members’ first-hand information on ongoing economic development and revitalization projects, local politics, and other real estate related matters in their respective municipalities. The meetings also serve as an opportunity for REALTORS® to show elected officials that we are organized and interested in the being a part of the public policy making process. By cultivating meaningful relationships, REALTORS® have the opportunity to build vibrant, safe and livable communities in partnership with elected officials. REALTORS® also can shape the debate on the many issues impacting their business.  A FOCUS ON REALTORS® & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AT THE APRIL 19 QUARTERLY MEMBER MEETING   Last month, hundreds of LVAR members attended the quarterly member meeting on April 19 at Lehigh University's Mountaintop Campus. The meeting was a focus on REALTORS® and Government Affairs. It featured special guest speakers Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, Senior Political Representative from NAR Jane Saunders, and Franklin & Marshall Professor Dr. G. Terry Madonna. The meeting also included an update on LVAR's role in the upcoming municipal elections.   A large crowd of LVAR members filled the Wood Dining Room at Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus   The views from the Wood Dining Room at Iaccocca hall were breathtaking and the food and service were excellent. The featured speakers were entertaining and often humorous as they provided important and relevant information to our members.    County Executive Don Cunningham (D) County Executive Don Cunningham discussed the County’s efforts for regionalizing services in the Lehigh Valley to maximize effectiveness and minimize costs to the taxpayers. He also discussed his priorities for properly planning for the tremendous growth in the Lehigh Valley, as well as cracking down on criminal activity to make our region a safe place to live and work.     Jane Saunders, Senior Political Representative for NAR Jane Saunders explained how our member’s contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) translate into results for the real estate industry. She stressed the importance of political involvement for our members, and ensuring that the REALTORS® point of view is taken into consideration by our elected officials.   Keynote speaker, Dr. Terry Madonna, provided members with and insider’s perspective of the political climate in Harrisburg and how it will impact REALTORS® ability to pass legislation important to the real estate industry. With the pay raise debacle of 2005 and the loss of 17 incumbents in last year’s election, Dr. Madonna pointed out that we are undergoing the biggest and most unprecedented changes in Pennsylvania state government’s history.