The POWERS That Be
Video
Hi, I’m Regina Hubbard, 2010 Chair of Governmental Affairs with the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®. I would like to share a little bit with you about the vital role that governmental affairs plays in keeping your business profitable.
Along with MAAR, the Tennessee Area Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® work very hard on the issues that affect our business. In fact, we use things like lobbying, political contributions and grassroots involvement to get our message across and make sure our voices are heard.
When it comes to lobbying, there were three issues where I think we were very successful. One was the scrap metal ordinance that was passed and reduced copper theft by over 80 percent. That was on the local level.
On the state level, the professional privilege tax was aimed at every real estate agent and we were able to get that modified so only brokers were affected.
And then when it comes to national, we were very successful in lobbying for over eight years before we finally got ruling that banks could not enter the real estate business.
When we look at our political contributions in 2009, MAAR contributed over $19,000 to local elected officials and political candidates.
When it comes to grassroots involvement, we’re always doing something to make sure membership is informed so they can make the right choices when they go to the polls and vote.
What else can I say, except that MAAR believes in and supports the Realtor Party. They support those candidates that support our issues. And in the words of a very good friend and colleague, if real estate is your profession, then politics is your business. Keep that in mind.