|
Dear ,
RPAC
and You
 |
Open Seat: A race without an incumbent is referred to as an open seat. The incumbent, in politics,
is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in
reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an
incumbent and non-incumbent(s).
|
|
Many of you will be meeting with
your Member of Congress and Senators in the district over the next several
weeks and delivering your RPAC checks. We would like to take a minute to remind
you of the importance of this gesture as well as the rules surrounding it.
RPAC (REALTORS® Political Action
Committee) serves as a critical FPC resource to support pro-REALTOR® candidates
in their election efforts. In the 2012 elections, RPAC was the largest
association PAC in the nation, with direct contributions totaling over $4.5
million. RPAC allocates certain funds for FPCs to use each cycle, including
“In-State” funds and “Special Recognition Funds.
In-State
Funds
- $1,000
for each FPC for a Congressional two-year election cycle and
- $2,000
for each FPC for a Senate six-year election cycle.
In-State Funds are funds that can be
used to attend in-district receptions or events for Members of Congress to
support their re-election efforts. You can contact the campaign for your Member
of Congress to find out if there are any upcoming events in your area that you
might like to attend. Please remember that RPAC requires all requests to be
at least $500, so if there is a $25 barbeque with your member of Congress,
consider purchasing a table and inviting other leaders from your association or
neighboring associations. You can be listed as a host or perhaps get credit for
future event.
In-State Funds must be used by
December 31st of the year preceding the election. For example,
for the upcoming 2016 cycle all in-state checks should be requested before the
end of 2015. Please coordinate with your state association to request checks at
least two weeks prior to any event to ensure prompt delivery of RPAC checks.
Special
Recognition Funds
Before each election, your state
association’s RPAC trustees will meet to consider additional support for your
member of Congress based upon their voting record on REALTOR® Party issues.
Once the NAR trustees approve your state’s request, your state association will
receive a special recognition check for your member’s re-election. Please
deliver these funds promptly, preferably within 2 weeks of receipt. All checks
MUST be delivered to the campaign before Election Day (primary or general) or
they must be voided and cannot be re-cut.
Tips of the Trade This Week: Do’s and Don’ts of Delivering an
RPAC Check
The following tip sheet outlines
IMPORTANT rules to remember when delivering your RPAC checks. Do
not put yourself at risk or embarrass the lawmaker or his/her staff by forgetting
these important guidelines.
DO:
- Deliver your RPAC check in-person.
- Meet your Member of Congress at a non-government
location like a coffee shop, your office, or their campaign headquarters. NEVER deliver a check at his/her office or on any
other government property.
- Deliver the RPAC check within 15
days of receiving it from NAR.
- Contact your state association if you cannot
deliver the check to the candidate, so another REALTOR® representative may be
appointed to deliver it.
- Praise the Member of Congress for
his/her work in the district and for supportive actions he or she has ALREADY taken to further REALTOR® Party issues.
- It
is important to only comment on action they have taken IN
THE PAST and not on any legislation currently in play.
- Even
better is to avoid discussing specific legislation at all while presenting a
check.
- Keep close track of all RPAC checks.
If for some reason the check is lost, please report it to your NAR Political
Representative immediately so that it can be cancelled and re-cut.
DON’T:
- Never deliver an RPAC check in a government
office OR on government property. It is ILLEGAL! This includes everything from
federal office buildings to federal parks and preserves to all other types of
federal facilities.
- Note: Even presenting the check in the parking
lot can still be considered government property and it may be unlawful. DO
NOT DO IT.
- Never make any political “ask” of your
Member of Congress while presenting your RPAC check.
- For
example, DO NOT say “please vote for this bill.” Again, it
is ILLEGAL to solicit a legislative vote in exchange for a
contribution.
- Don’t delay delivering your RPAC check. If the check is not cashed within 60 days,
the check will be voided and it will be necessary to obtain a replacement check
from RPAC.
- Don’t deliver an RPAC check after the election-day
(primary or general) for which the check is designated. After Election Day RPAC
may no longer contribute to a candidate and we miss the opportunity to
demonstrate our support.
- Don’t mail a check unless it
is absolutely unavoidable. Please deliver all checks in-person if possible.
|
FPC
David Maturen wins Race in Michigan-63
Last week, in a close primary race in Southwest
Michigan, David Maturen, FPC for Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), edged out Vic Potter
and won the Republican nomination for state House in Michigan's 63rd District. Congratulations on an incredible win David! It was one of the most hotly contested
Republican primary races in the State. Best of luck in November!
August
Recess Advocacy Talking Points
As you continue to meet with your Members of Congress and Senators during this “District Work Period,” please remember the following NAR talking
points.
You can find the Talking points here:
REAUTHORIZE THE TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE ACT
PRESERVE REAL
ESTATE-RELATED TAX POLICIES.
Please ask lawmakers to act quickly
to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) of 2002. On tax
issues please ask lawmakers to Co-Sponsor H.R 2994 (House) or S. 1187 (Senate)
and for them to ask Congressional Leaders to move the bill quickly to reinstate
the provision that waives income tax on mortgage debt forgiven (“phantom
income”) in a short sale or a workout for principal residences.
Congress must act on these issues to avoid destabilizing families,
neighborhoods and communities.
As always, thank you for your
commitment to the program and the time you invest with our federal elected officials.
If you have any questions you can contact Victoria
Givens at vgivens@realtors.org or your
NAR Political Field Representative:
April
Brown
(202) 383-1073 abrown@realtors.org
States:
Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Puerto
Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands Shannon
Burke (202)
383-1009 sburke@realtors.orgStates:
Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,Missouri,
Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia, West Virginia Karl
Eckhart (202)
383-1086 keckhart@realtors.org States:
Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New York,North
Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming Chris
Gosselin (202)
383-7516 cgosselin@realtors.org States:
Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Guam,Hawaii,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Nevada,Northern
Mariana Islands, Rhode Island, Vermont Scott
Reiter
(202) 383-1072 sreiter@realtors.org States:
DC, Delaware, Maryland Lindsay
Shuba
(202) 383-1268 lshuba@realtors.org
States:
Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico,
Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Utah, Wisconsin
For the latest REALTOR® Party news check out the REALTOR® Action Center at www.realtoractioncenter.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
To Unsubscribe Click Here
|