LVAR - October 2006

PAR CAPITOL BRIEFS

October 20, 2006

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:

Consumer Notice Legislation Passes Senate; Moves to Governor
Visitability Tax Credit Measure Heads to Governor
Legislation Would Exempt Deeds from Sales and Use Tax
Senate Adds Session Days to the Calendar
Going to NARdi Gras? Apply for an Absentee Ballot by October 31

If you cannot enter the page as provided, go to http://www.parealtor.org - click on Legislative & Regulatory, then Current Legislative Initiatives, and then Capitol Briefs.

October 19, 2006

REALTORS®: You helped us get Consumer Notice revisions passed the Pennsylvania General Assembly . . . Now help us get it signed into law!

This week, the PA General Assembly passed House Bill 2631 which makes positive changes in the applicability of the Consumer Notice. The bill now awaits consideration from Governor Rendell!

LVAR and PAR supports House Bill 2631. Please go to our Web-based system now to send a letter to Governor Rendell asking him to sign House Bill 2631 into law.

REALTORS® worked hard all year to get this legislation moving. We can’t give up now!

Sending a letter is quick and easy because the message is pre-written for you. All you have to do is add your contact information to the letter and click send.

If you choose to call Governor Rendell, please use the following talking points:

House Bill 2631 (Consumer Notice)

House Bill 2631 would continue to require that the Consumer Notice be delivered in cases where the transaction involves an individual; however, it would not be required in cases where the transaction involves a corporation or partnership.

In a typical commercial sale or lease negotiation, even small business owners are represented by counsel and have obtained commercial financing. Even so, this legislation would still provide that the Consumer Notice be presented in cases where the transaction involves an individual, thereby protecting small business owners.

In the commercial market, where transactions occur nationally and internationally, buyers are typically more sophisticated and are cognizant of who the licensee is working for. For example, if a company in Japan wants to open an office in Philadelphia, they contact a commercial real estate office in the Philadelphia area. The company knows that the Philadelphia agent will work on their behalf as a buyer’s agent. Requiring that the Consumer Notice be presented in these instances imposes an additional layer in the transaction that is unnecessary and may lead Pennsylvania to be perceived as anti-business.

10-09-06

PAR ISSUES CALL-TO-ACTION!

The PA General Assembly is currently in the waning hours of session before they recess for the year. We have a limited time in which to pass House Bill 2631 which would revise the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) to address changes in the applicability of the Consumer Notice.

PAR supports House Bill 2631. Please go to our Web-based system now to send a letter to your State Senator asking them to support House Bill 2631.

Sending a letter to your senator is quick and easy because the message is pre-written for you. All you have to do is add your contact information to the letter and click send.

If you choose to call your State Senator, please use the following talking points:

House Bill 2631 (Consumer Notice)

House Bill 2631 would continue to require that the Consumer Notice be delivered in cases were the transaction involves an individual; however, it would not be required in cases where the transaction involves a corporation or partnership.

In the commercial market, where transactions occur nationally and internationally, buyers are typically more sophisticated and are cognizant of who the licensee is working for. For example, if a company in Japan wants to open an office in Philadelphia, they contact a commercial real estate office in the Philadelphia area. The company knows that the Philadelphia agent will work on their behalf as a buyer’s agent.

In a typical commercial sale or lease negotiation, even small business owners are represented by counsel and have obtained commercial financing. Requiring that the Consumer Notice be presented imposes an additional layer in the transaction that is unnecessary and may lead Pennsylvania to be perceived as anti-business.

URGENT: TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE!

Click here to register!

As Americans, one of the most fundamental and sacred rights we have is the ability to actively participate in our democracy by voting on Election Day. That is why the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS®is urging fellow members to register to vote. REALTORS® are a potent political force in the Lehigh Valley, and we have an opportunity this year to help elect candidates who support our industry!

REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY . . .

If you are not registered to vote, we are making it as easy as possible for you. Simply click here to download a voter registration form. All you have to do is fill it out, sign it, andmail it to your count voter registration office post marked no later than close of business tomorrow, October 10th!

Here's the contact information:

Lehigh County residents:

Lehigh County Government Center

Attn: Voter Registration

17 South Seventh Street

Allentown, PA 18101-2400

(610) 782-3194

Northampton County residents:

Northampton County Voter Registration

Governor Wolf Building

45 North 2nd Street

Easton, PA 18042

(610) 559-3055

WILL YOU BE AWAY ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 7th?

If so, you can vote by absentee ballot! Click to download an absentee ballot application for Lehigh County orNorthampton r esidents. Applications must be received by your County’s Election Bureau no later than Tuesday, October 31.

Again, your LVAR leadership urges you to make your voice heard and carry out your fundamental right to vote by registering today!

Questions? Contact Ryan Conrad, LVAR Government Affairs Director at Ryan@lvar.org

Congressman Dent (center) with LVAR President Pete Ramos (left) and
LVAR RPAC Chairman Luis Campos (right)

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Congressman Charlie Dent has been working hard on behalf of REALTORS® - whether he’s in Washington, DC or back in the district. He’s voted in favor of Small Business Health Plan Legislation, which currently is the highest priority of the National Association of REALTORS^®.

Perhaps more importantly, Congressman Dent has always kept his door open to hearing the REALTOR^® point of view and has maintained an open and amiable working relationship with LVAR. For these reasons and more, LVAR is supporting Congressman Dent’s candidacy for re-election to the United State House of Representatives.

Here are some volunteer opportunities for REALTORS^® to help get Congressman Dent re-elected so he can continue to protect you and your business. If you are interested and can help in any way, please e-mail Ryan Conrad, LVAR Government Affairs Director at Ryan@lvar.org.

**“Open House” – Saturday, October 7between 12:00- 4:00 PM
Dent for Congress Campaign Headquarters
5940 Hamilton Boulevard, Wescosville
Meet Congressman Dent and other local legislators that are up for re-election this year! You’ll have an opportunity to catch up on local politics with the candidates and sign up for campaign activities. Refreshments will be served!

**Door-to-Door Literature Drops – Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) – 9:45 AM
Meet at Dent Campaign Headquarters on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM between now and Election Day to help with door-to-door activities. Pick one day or several days! Whatever help you can give goes a long way!

**Mailings – Weekdays (Anytime you’re available)
Mail-pieces are an integral part of a re-election campaign. Help is needed with folding, stuffing, stamping envelopes!

**Phone Banks – Weekday Evenings (Monday through Thursday)

**Halloween Parades – Weekends
Walk in a Halloween parade with Congressman Dent to show your support!
Saturday, October 7th (Freemansburg)
Saturday, October 29th (Allentown, Bethlehem, Slatington)

**Yard Signs
Put up a Dent for Congress sign in your front yard to show your support!

**Post Cards
Send a friendly post card to your neighbors telling them why you support Congressman Dent and encourage them to do the same! Post cards and envelopes will be provided to you.

**Election Day – Tuesday, November 7th
Helping get out the vote on Election Day is the most critical element to thecampaign. No matter how much work we do leading up to the election, it’s making sure that voters get out to vote for Congressman Dent that really matters! Varioustime shifts and duties are available!