Event Coverage

Legislative Day increases political awareness among SILVAR members

Over 2,000 Realtors and affiliates from the state of California gathered in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 7, for Legislative Day. Approximately 70 Realtors and Affiliates from SILVAR joined their counterparts at the State Capitol for the event, which is organized by the California Association of REALTORS® 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 the most. Attending Legislative Day is not only a great investment in business, but it 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. This year, C.A.R. also presented the first-ever California REALTOR® Showcase during the business meetings. Taking place at the Sacramento Convention Center, the showcase featured more than 100 exhibit booths to help REALTORS® stay informed about the latest real estate products and services.
 
C.A.R. Treasurer Jim Liptak shook hands and welcomed SILVAR Realtors and Affiliates as they stepped down from the bus. Then everyone gathered at the Convention Center in the morning to listen to presentations by C.A.R. President Vince Malta and other C.A.R. officials. Assemblyman Tim Leslie (District 4), who is a former Realtor, and Assemblyman Dave Jones (District 9) spoke to the C.A.R. membership. California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson also made a surprise visit and spoke to the group.
 
Issues of concern were highlighted and the impact of political participation emphasized during the morning gathering. “Get into politics, or get out of business,” C.A.R. officials stated, stressing the importance of participating in the political process. Malta and the C.A.R. leadership noted that the C.A.R. membership is the largest group that hits Sacramento every year.
 
A SILVAR/SAMCAR/SCCAOR Joint Legislative Luncheon was then held at the Convention Center, with veteran political analyst Tony Quinn as the guest speaker. After lunch, Realtors and affiliates headed to the State Capitol Building to meet their respective Senators and Assembly members.
 
Wednesday marked the day after the state primaries, which saw the poorest voter turnout in California’s history. Because of the primaries, many legislators were not in their offices and assigned their staff to meet with Realtors. The legislators who were present expressed their disappointment in the poor voter turn-out and emphasized the importance of political participation.
 
SILVAR members were fortunate to personally meet with Senator Abel Maldonado (District 15), Assemblyman Ira Ruskin (District 21) and Senator Elaine Alquist (District 13) in person. They also met with the staff of Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (District 22). As SILVAR members and representatives of the other neighboring Realtor Associations conveyed their concerns, the legislators listened and discussed the issues with the Realtors.
 
Hot topics underlined by Realtors in their meetings with state representatives were C.A.R.’s opposition to AB1169, which would require landlords to give tenants a 60-day notice to terminate tenancy if a tenant has resided in the dwelling for more than one year in non-rent control communities, and C.A.R.’s support for SB 1177, the proposal to prohibit local governments from examining the books and records of homebuilders seeking a density bonus when they apply for a waiver or reduction in development standards.
 
The day was fruitful and as the SILVAR bus rolled back to the Cupertino office late in the afternoon, members relayed their thoughts.
 
It was Katherine Frey’s (Alain Pinel, Los Altos) first Leg Day experience and she said she was glad she came. “The experience was very valuable because it puts us face to face with people we read about or see on TV,” said Frey. “It’s different seeing and hearing them in person. It puts a different spin on it. It was also interesting to hear the reactions of the legislators to the poor election turnout. I hope they will learn from it. It was also interesting to learn how much clout we have as Realtors. The fact that we are the largest group to descend upon them at one time means something and it also makes you realize your PAC money is doing some good.”
 
It was also the first Leg Day for Kathy Kitching (Campi Properties, Los Altos) and she too wasn’t disappointed. “I learned a lot. I really liked the speakers,” said Kitching. “It was especially interesting to see and hear C.A.R. President Vince Malta in person. I like Dave Jones and Tim Leslie. I’m especially sorry to hear Leslie’s term will be over this year. We need someone like him in the Legislature. I’m concerned to learn there are about 46 new people that will be serving in the Legislature. This means we need to constantly re-educate our representatives. It’s something you don’t think about and now I realize where our money is going.”
 
“I thought it was a worthwhile trip,” remarked P.C. Chokkalingam (Sona Properties, Menlo Park). “It was my first time to come and I was glad I was able to speak to Senator Alquist about why I support AB 1169.”
 
Nadr Essabhoy (Alain Pinel Realtors, Palo Alto) said, “The experience was also a first for me and it gave me a better understanding about how laws get passed. Having direct access to legislators to see their viewpoints face to face and to know we have some kind of direct impact is great.”
 
Jim Massey (Cashin Company, Menlo Park) said, “I think Legislative Day is a great outreach to legislators. Our being there makes them understand that we are paying attention.”
 
While noting Legislative Day was a great experience and recommending that more SILVAR members should participate in the annual event, Bill Challas (The Loan Source Inc., Los Gatos) said he was disappointed that some legislators didn’t make a great effort to meet with the Realtors and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did not make an appearance.
 
Challas said, “Over 2,000 Realtors were there and that’s a lot of people, and it should matter to legislators that we were here to discuss our issues.”
 
Bob Gilroy (Countrywide Home Loans, Menlo Park) added, “I really enjoyed the day and liked networking and seeing government in action.”
 
SILVAR members thank Countrywide Home Loans for sponsoring the buses that took them to Sacramento. A second bus, which left later that evening, carried members who stayed for the C.A.R. Capitol Reception held in the evening at the Grand Nave Ballroom in the Sheraton Grand Hotel. The reception was open to $197 and above contributors.
 
“It was wonderful to see our lobbyists and see where our $197 is going,” said Kelly Germa (Countrywide Home Loans, Menlo Park). “This experience made me realize there is still integrity in government, that there are state Senators and Assembly men and women who believe in representation of the people, which I decided didn’t exist anymore until today. What happened today has restored my faith in government and convinced me we need to participate more in politics and convey our message to our representatives.”
 
REALTOR® Action Fund is the $197 contribution that appears on SILVAR members’ membership dues billing statement. Every Realtor is asked to make this voluntary contribution when paying their local Board, C.A.R. and N.A.R. dues. Funds raised through REALTOR® Action Fund are used to support candidates who are sympathetic to Realtor issues and toward supporting or opposing issues that impact Realtors.
 
As SILVAR affiliate member Jeannette Mihalak put it, “The $197 we give to the Fund is worth every penny, absolutely. We are seeing our money at work. I have always supported the Fund not only for me, but also for my clients.”
 
Many SILVAR members said they would also take Senator Maldonado’s words to heart. Stressing the importance of political participation, Maldonado told Realtors earlier, “You got to contribute to the organization you support. In this business, there are lots of people against you who are here every day, so it’s important to continue to contribute and support the organization that supports your values and fights for your interests, because if you don’t, who else will?”
 

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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