Thank You RPAC Contributors!!!
Over 1106 REALTORS
® have already contributed to RPAC for this important election cycle!
When you contribute to RPAC, you are part of a strong political power that can affect elections and force politicians to at least consider the REALTOR® position. Seventy percent of your contribution stays in Delaware to support those candidates at the state and local level that support private property rights and other issues important to the REALTOR® community. Thirty percent is sent to Washington to support candidates at the federal level.
As you've seen from our first two issues of News You Can Use, the Delaware General Assembly and all three counties are considering significant land-use, environmental, transportation, financial and other issues that could have a significant impact on your ability to do business. If you haven't already contributed to RPAC, now is the time to help us elect pro-REALTOR® candidates to all levels of government. It's easy to do... just visit www.delawarerealtor.com and you can contribute right
on-line. Also, stay tuned to information from your local association who is organizing a fun fundraising event in your area . . . . . . .and look for an invitation to this year's JUMP in the Ocean. It returns Friday, March 7th!
Transfer Tax Update - Joint Finance Committee Hears From DelTech:
Dr. George presented his operating request to the Joint Finance Committee on February 6th and spent a great deal of time discussing his capital construction needs. He thanked the Governor and Members of the Delaware General Assembly for their willingness to work on finding a solution to fund the Community College Infrastructure Fund which was recommended by the Chairs of the Joint Bond Bill Committee. The chairs also recommended an increase in the realty transfer tax to support the fund.
SPECIAL THANKS to the following members for attending and showing REALTOR® support to the opposition of a realty transfer tax increase: Sue Bramhall, J. Gregory Ellis, Fran Giofre, Madeline Locke and Lex Petrillo!
GET ACTIVE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS
NAR Action Center:
Join the NAR Action Center at
www.naractioncenter.com and support pro-REALTOR
® issues in the United States Congress. Just by pushing a button you can respond to important calls for action and send a letter right to your Members of Congress. Stay tuned for a similar system from DAR which will connect you with your local representatives and make communicating regularly to share your views simple and easy.
Get Involved In A Local Campaign:
There will be many opportunities to lend your support for individuals running for election at all levels of government from your local Mayor or member of the County Council, from the next Governor of your State to your Representative and Senator in the General Assembly. Contact their campaign office and ask them the best way to get involved. Of course a direct financial contribution is great but often just as important is putting up yard signs, manning phone banks or doing election day activities. If we do not get involved then we have no one to blame but ourselves for governmental actions that limit personal property rights or other actions adverse to the first time homebuyer or REALTOR
® community.
Register To Vote For The General Election Now:
- By Mail: Call any election office to register to vote by mail: Elections
- By Phone: Click here to see a list of contact numbers for the Department of Elections.
- In Person: You can register at the Department of Elections office. Click here to view locations.
- Online: Register to Vote Online.
- Or at a State office while accessing services: Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of
Health & Social Services and the Department of Labor.
Important Election Deadlines:
| February 6 | Period to change party affiliation reopened |
| March 30 | Last day to change party affiliation before September 9 primary |
| August 16 | Last day to register to vote in September 9 primary |
| September 9 | Primary Elections |
| October 11 | Last Day to register to vote in general election |
| November 4 | General Election |
NEW ISSUES
Cabinet Committee on State Planning Report:
The Governor's Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues released their Annual Report. The report details the demographic, fiscal and development trends occurring in Delaware as well as policies and actions taken to date. The report also includes recommendations for future policy considerations by the Governor and the General Assembly to continue the work of planning for orderly growth and development.
Among the recommendations in the report are the following:
Adopt legislation that continues to guide growth to areas prepared to accept it such as: transfer of development rights, mobility friendly design, transportation planning, and design and location of public buildings;
further connect land use activity into the state budget process including developing a comprehensive set of livability indicators, inventory state discretionary funding provided to local governments and a comprehensive plan fiscal note;
examine and re-evaluate state policies that impact development including developing policies to withhold permits when development is inconsistent with plans;
train state employees to incorporate Livable Delaware principles into funding decisions and enhance intergovernmental coordination efforts.
Revised Delaware Sediment And Stormwater Regulations:
A draft of the revised regulations has been circulated. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has formed six subcommittees to review the proposed regulations. DAR will be represented at the Planning and Land Use, Policies and Procedures and Economic Impact Subcommittees. The first meetings are occurring late this week. Stay tuned for more information.
Stormwater Pond Maintenance Workshop:
Property owners in Sussex County who want to know more about how to maintain stormwater management areas can sign up for a free two-hour workshop being offered February 13 and 20, through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The workshops will be held in Millville and Georgetown. To register or for more information contact the Sussex Conservation District at 302-856-7219.
For more information on any of the above issues, please contact Charlotte Herbert, DAR's Government Affairs Director at 800-305-4445 or 302-734-4444 ext. 12 or via e-mail at charlotte@delawarerealtor.com.
Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS® or any of its state associations or local boards will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your state PAC reaches its RPAC goal 30% is sent to the National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C.441a; after the state PAC reaches its RPAC goal it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates.
