Event Coverage

LEG DAY A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

SILVAR members joined other California REALTORS® and affiliates at the California Association of REALTORS® Legislative Day in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 3. This special day is an opportunity for over 2,000 of the state’s REALTORS® and affiliates to meet with their state legislators and discuss important issues that affect the real estate industry. Leg Day also provides C.A.R. members with an opportunity to hear from the state's political leaders and the C.A.R. leadership, as well as enjoy a good reception.

C.A.R. briefings took place at the Sacramento Convention Center, beginning with a welcome from 2009 C.A.R. President James Liptak, 2009 President-Elect Steve Goddard, 2009 Treasurer Beth Peerce, 2009 Political Affairs Chair John Cribb and Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Alex Creel. Guest speakers included State Senator George Runner and California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

Creel gave REALTORS® the good news that several of C.A.R.’s Hot Issues, which are the real-estate issues and concerns REALTORS® discuss with state legislators on this day, were actually resolved on Tuesday, the day before Legislative Day. Instead of six issues, C.A.R. members had only two Hot Issues to bring to the legislators’ attention.

Senator Runner showed his support for REALTORS® and complained about pieces of legislation that in effect, slowdown home buying and selling, which then stalls the housing market recovery.

“We shouldn’t make it harder to sell a piece of real estate; we should instead, expedite the process,” he said.

Senator Runner also noted legislators should spend more time discussing how to maintain services and how to value services rather than how to cut them. “We should change the way we deliver and evaluate how services can be done in a more efficient way,” he said.

Former California Governor Jerry Brown, now the state’s attorney general, entertained REALTORS® with anecdotes from decades of experience in government. He candidly admitted, there are just too many laws with too much description, many of which he now regrets were passed during his tenure as governor.

“It’s important to balance the goal and get the job done in line with how life works,” Brown said.

At noon, SILVAR members joined members of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® and Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® at the Sheraton Grand Hotel for a special luncheon and then listened to political strategist Adam Probolsky share interesting polling results. Probolsky, who is chairman and CEO of Probolsky Research LLC, is a pollster with over 15 years experience and has conducted hundreds of opinion research studies throughout North America.

Legislators were in session all day at the State Capitol, but after lunch, SILVAR members were able to meet with staff of Assembly members Jim Beall, Ira Ruskin, Paul Fong and Senator Joe Simitian. Hot issues they brought to the legislators’ attention included C.A.R.’s opposition to AB 827 (Yamada) and AB 985 (De La Torre). Both bills are currently in the Senate.

AB 827 allows counties to impose an additional per page recording “fee” for the archiving of historical documents - $3 for the first page; $1 for each additional page. C.A.R. opposes AB 827 because it is not a “fee” but rather a transfer tax which must be approved by voters. C.A.R. also believes counties should make it a legitimate fee and charge only those who use the archives.

AB 985 (De La Torre) requires the removal of already illegal and unenforceable restrictions from title records whenever a property transfers. While well-intentioned, C.A.R. opposes this bill because current law already restricts discriminatory covenants, and this bill would impose a new burden on transactions and create another roadblock for homebuyers who are already facing significant delays when attempting to purchase homes. It would also increase the costs of the transaction and divert attention from critical real estate disclosures. The better alternative, according to C.A.R., is to utilize an existing electronic “scrubbing” mechanism already being used for Social Security Numbers, that will remove the offensive language without burdening transactions with inappropriate costs.

A C.A.R. Capitol Reception was later held that evening for $197 contributors and above at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. C.A.R. business meetings are taking place all week.

SILVAR members found the Leg Day experience informative, productive and well-worth their time. Wednesday was Howard Chuck’s first Leg Day experience. Chuck, who is a member of the Sunnyvale PAC, said, “I think it’s a very good experience and time well-spent. I wish all SILVAR members could attend Leg Day, at least one time. It’s important to our profession. We definitely need to have our say because these bills affect our livelihood.”

Willow Hopkins, who attended Leg Day last year too, said, “I find Leg Day very informative. It helps me understand the issues REALTORS® are facing. I pass on the information I learn and let my clients know that the REALTORS® are working for them.”

“Every member should take advantage of Legislative Day,” said SILVAR Board Director and Los Altos/Mountain View District Chair Nick French. “It’s a good experience, a way to not only meet our legislators, but also a good opportunity to meet other REALTORS® from other associations. We are all working together; everybody has the same goals.”

“Every Leg Day is informative. It’s a pleasure to meet our elective officials and their staff. We know that they may not always agree with our issues, but we appreciate that they are willing to listen,” according to SILVAR member Dave Tonna, who attends Leg Day each year.
 

The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR 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 Silicon Valley.

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 Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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