From NYSAR Government Affairs:Why Lobby?
First, if any of your members are not registered to vote, please direct them to the NYS Board of Elections website so they may register
www.elections.state.ny.us.
A registered voter is empowered with a voice that our elected officials cannot ignore.
In addition, when 65,000 REALTOR® members support/oppose a measure in Albany, it's difficult for our leaders to turn the other way. By speaking with our elected officials, we put a human face to issues that are unfamiliar to lawmakers other than the bill text they have read. Meeting face-to-face with our Senators and Assembly members provides an invaluable opportunity to relate personal experiences that demonstrate why an issue is important.
Real ResultsTake a look at some of the initiatives NYSAR accomplished just last year in Albany with the help of REALTORS speaking to their elected representatives:
Real Estate Education Enhancements - NYSAR lobbied to raise the professionalism of our industry by enhancing education requirements to quality for a salesperson's license from 45 to 75 hours. As a result of Lobby Day efforts, this measure passed both houses of the Legislature and was signed into law - Effective July 1, 2008.
Agency Disclosure Revisions - NYSAR lobbied for legislation to simplify the real estate agency disclosure form to make it more consumer friendly. Again, following a successful lobbying effort, this bill passed both houses of the Legislature and was signed into law - Effective January 1, 2007.
The 2007 Legislative Agenda will focus on key issues such as:
Protection for Real Estate Commissions - Last year NYSAR managed to get this bill passed in both the Senate and Assembly, only to have it vetoed by the governor. This year we are working to address the veto concerns and we expect to have a new bill to put before our Senators, Assembly members and the Governor to encourage support in 2007.
Banning Convicted Sex Offenders from obtaining or holding real estate license - Last year, NYSAR lobbied for legislation to prohibit All Convicted Sex Offenders from obtaining or holding a real estate license. The Senate passed this measure last year and has already moved to do so again this year. We need Members put pressure on the Assembly to advance this common sense piece of legislation.
First-time Homebuyer Savings Accounts - NYSAR will again lobby for legislation to allow individuals and couples to make tax deductible deposits of $5,000/$10,000 annually for the purpose of using the funds for the purchase of a first home.
View NYSAR's website for the complete list of our 2007 Legislative Priorities: http://www.nysar.com/members/legislative/agenda.asp.
Again, NYSAR puts the power of 65,000 members to work in the state capitol to support our shared agenda. The grassroots work we all do is the cornerstone of the industry's success.