Event Coverage

Legislative Day Brings Realtors to Sacramento

Over 2,000 Realtors and affiliates from the state of California gathered in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 6, for Legislative Day. Over ? Realtors and affiliates from SAMCAR, including directors joined their counterparts at the state capital for the event, which is organized by the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) every year.
 
Legislative Day is an opportunity for Realtors from across California to meet with their state legislators and discuss issues that affect the real estate industry. All Realtors and affiliates first gathered at the Convention Center in the morning to listen to greetings and a C.A.R. Hot Issues Briefing from C.A.R. officials. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was out of town, also greeted Realtors by video.

C.A.R. President Colleen Badagliacco thanked everyone for attending the event.
“Attending Legislative Day is a tremendous investment in your business. … It’s an opportunity to let our legislators know what works and what doesn’t work,” said Badagliacco.

C.A.R. Senior Vice President Alex Creel briefed Realtors on hot issues that legislators need to be aware of, and Senator Lou Correa, whose bill SB 670 sought to prohibit private transfer taxes did not make it through the Senate Housing and Transportation Committee, also spoke to C.A.R. members.

The impact of political participation was emphasized during the morning gathering.
 “Let them know we represent people looking for the American dream. Let them know we are watching and we are not going to go away,” C.A.R. officials said.

Realtors make up one of the largest groups that hit Sacramento every year.

A SAMCAR/SILVAR/SCCAOR Joint Legislative Luncheon at the Sheraton Grand Hotel followed the briefing, with political strategist and analyst Donnie Fowler as guest speaker. After lunch, Realtors and affiliates headed to the State Capitol to meet their respective Senators and Assembly representatives.

The day proved to be one in which Realtors got the opportunity to witness legislators at work, and because of this, Realtors were not able to personally meet with all of their representatives. The Assembly was in session; legislators had to decide on over 400 bills by the end of the week and were scheduled to discuss 125 bills that day, which meant they would be working till late in the evening.

Staff members of Assembly representatives met with SAMCAR members and assured them that they would bring back their concerns to the representatives. They also noted it’s important to let the legislators know about their concerns. One staff member said a legislator was impressed when her office received 60 phone calls regarding her need to oppose SB 464 (Kuehl).

SAMCAR members met with staff members of Assemblymembers Ira Ruskin and Gene Mullin, although Mullin, on a five-minute pass, hurried down to meet the Realtors and update date them on developments in the Assembly floor. SAMCAR members were also able to personally meet with Senators Leland Yee and Joe Simitian.

Hot topics pressed by Realtors included opposition to the following bills:
• AB 1574 (Houston), which would allow the use of private transfer taxes, which would in essence, add to the cost of owning a home and would encourage developers and private entities and others to impose these fees with no restrictions.

• AB 239 (DeSaulnier), which would authorize the Contra Costa County and San Mateo County Boards of Supervisors to impose a document recording fee on all real estate recordings to generate funds for affordable housing. While the goal is good, Realtors are concerned the bill targets just one group to pay for affordable housing; it would basically create a tax and runs counter to Proposition 13; and it would ultimately add to the cost of buying a home and penalize the very people affordable housing policies seek to help.

• SB 464 (Kuehl), which forces landlords to stay in business for at least five years and requires them to give all tenants a one-year notice of termination of tenancy should ANY of their tenants be a senior or disabled. C.A.R. believes this bill is an attack on private property rights and an affront on business – landlords should not be told how long they should stay in business. The bill would also discourage investment in rental housing and could ultimately lead to landlords evicting tenants before putting their property on the market and discriminating against seniors and the disabled.

Senator Joe Simitian thanked SAMCAR, SILVAR and SCCAOR members for meeting with him and addressing the hot issues. He noted, with 900,000 constituents in 13 cities and towns, “it’s tough to stay in touch. You make it easier for me to do it by coming to me and expressing your views. Is anyone listening, and does it matter? The answer is yes and yes.”

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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