Find out about the legislative priorities of the Texas Association of REALTORS®

 

On January 11, 2011, the 82^nd Texas Legislature began. Lawmakers are faced with a challenge: They are constitutionally required to balance the budget, but are facing a $27 billion deficit. The Republican-controlled body has announced that it will attempt to balance the budget without raising taxes.

 

Although balancing the budget will dominate the session, legislators will also consider new laws about voter ID, eminent domain, and immigration reform. If that’s not enough, they will redraw the lines of every legislative district in the state and put several large state commissions through the sunset process.

 

In the midst of all this, the Texas Association of REALTORS® will work hard to promote passage of several pieces of legislation and defend against proposals that could harm the real estate industry.

 

You can learn about the issues the association will monitor by reading the Texas Association of REALTORS® Legislative Priorities for the 82^nd Texas Legislature.

 

Some of the issues are familiar legislative battles—such as appraisal reform and taxes on real estate transactions—but the booklet includes some new issues as well. For instance, the association offers opinions on gaming as a potential revenue stream to the state’s general fund.

 

The booklet is member-designed. Texas REALTORS® from across the state form several Public Policy Subcommittees, which investigate the issues facing the real estate industry and private-property owners and evaluate the merits of various proposals and solutions to those issues. Texas REALTORS® on the Legislative Management Team vet the subcommittees’ conclusions and make final decisions about the association’s legislative priorities, which are ultimately approved by the association’s Executive Board.

 

With all the uncertainty, one thing is for sure: As the 82^nd Legislature progresses, you can count on the Texas Association of REALTORS® to protect your interests.

 

How can you help? Come to the Texas REALTOR® Hill Visits on April 12 and meet your elected officials face-to-face. It’s difficult for legislators to ignore a large group of organized constituents in their offices—in fact, past sessions have seen real estate-friendly legislation pass in as little as 24 hours after the Hill Visits.

 

A record 1,352 Texas REALTORS® took part in the 2009 Hill Visits, and the association is aiming for 2,000 attendees this year.

 

Contact your local association for information about coming to Austin in April.