2015 FPC News
 
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Special Rule-A resolution reported by the Rules Committee that, if agreed to by the House, sets the terms for debating and amending a specified measure or measures.


Dear ,

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  2016 1st Quarter Re-Cap

Thank you for filing your first quarter field reports for 2016. We had 25 states reach 100% on their FPC field reports including: AK, AL, CT, DC, FL, GA, GU, ID, IL, MA, ME, MO, MT, ND, NJ, NY, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI. Great work team!

Overall we had 724 interactions this quarter with 413 of those meetings taking place in-person. Nice job!

I would like to reiterate the importance of filing a good field report. It seems that several of you leave these to the last minute and they read as rushed and not thoughtful. Please remember that you are not just checking a box. We take these reports very seriously. It is your duty as FPCs to make every attempt to interact in some meaningful way with your legislator. It is understandable that this is not always possible in person, but please make the time at least once a quarter for a well-conceived email or phone call. A simple thank you is always great. If you have questions about how better to go about meeting or communicating with your members of Congress, you can always reach out to me at vgivens@realtors.org or you can talk to your lobbyists and political directors.

That being said, we have a number of stellar FPCs in the field who continue to file authentic and thorough reports.  I always like to highlight one or two particularly great reports. Thanks to Angelia Levesque in Maine, FPC for Rep. Bruce Poliquin, and Nykea Pippion-McGriff in Illinois, FPC for Rep. Bobby Rush, for your excellent work so far this year.

Reporting the Issues and Honing the Relationship

I attended the two events in February. One on the 16th and one on the 26th. At both events I had a chance speak with the Congressman. At the first event he approached me and the first words out of his mouth were "How do we like TRID? Is it working?" He remains up on our issues and willing to listen and help. Attended with Denise Reed a REALTOR At the second event there were a few other REALTORS attending. At one point we were all together with him. Again we spoke about TRID but also FHA and the need to keep it healthy and available. He asked if we were coming to see him again. I let him know that yes we would be back this May. Attended with Andre Cushing a State Senator and REALTOR and Tricia Quirk a REALTOR and Deb Masters a former REALTOR.

-Angelia Levesque

Being a Resource: Rep. Rush Report

I spoke with Dennis Hawkins, Local Housing Director regarding foreclosures and pricing in the district. Dennis had a few general questions about the state of the housing market in parts of the Congressman's district, specifically parts of the Bronzeville, and South Shore neighborhoods. Dennis had questions regarding the low pricing that he had observed on various properties. I explained that many of the properties Dennis mentioned are in need of considerable rehabbing but the good news is that a lot of the distressed inventory is being rapidly absorbed. I explained the different types of financing needed for constituents to purchase these types of properties to help continue to spur of homeownership in some of our blighted communities. I explained that I am happy to continue to be a resource should any constituents have specific housing related questions.

-Nykea Pippon-McGriff

 http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  RSVP: FPC Lobbyist Prep Salons  

Please remember to RSVP for your lobbyist prep salon in May. Please see the schedule and map below to determine your lobbyist, find out what time your state meets on Tuesday, May 10th, then RSVP. All salons will take place in the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue. If you have any questions, please contact Victoria Givens at VGivens@realtors.org or 202-383-1021.

Tuesday, May 10

9:30am - 10:30am FPC Lobbyist Salon 7: Colin Allen
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 1: Helen Devlin
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 2: Jamie Gregory
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 3: Jerry Giovaniello
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 4: Dan Blair
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 5: Joe Harris
10:00am - 11:00am FPC Lobbyist Salon 6: Ken Wingert




 

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  Important FPC Meetings During REALTOR Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo

Please note the following important meetings as you plan your travel to D.C. in May.  

May 10
9:30 - 10:30 AM and 10:00 – 11:00 AM - FPC Lobbyist Prep Salons, Washington Hilton
2:00 - 3:20 PM - FPC Roundtable, Omni Shoreham

May 11
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM - FPC Reception, Omni Shoreham
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM - FPC VIP Lounge, Hyatt Capitol Hill

May 12
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM - FPC VIP Lounge, Hyatt Capitol Hill

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  Flood Insurance Bill Coming Into Effect

Today, April 1, 2016, a number of changes will begin to occur as part of the 2014 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act including the fact that National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premium rates are set to rise an average of 9%. You will recall, this increase is less than the 2015 average and is consistent with the annual 5-10% increases prior to the 2012 Biggert-Waters Act, which made significant reforms to the NFIP. The changes taking place this week are a part of the gradual implementation of new and unsubsidized rates. For a quick look at what's happening, see the graphic below.

In addition:

    • The 2-year grace period for NFIP policy holders who let their coverage lapse is coming to an end. Beginning April 1, those policyholders will have 90 days to reinstate their policy in order to maintain “continuous coverage” and continued eligibility for grandfathered or subsidized flood insurance rates.
    • FEMA will begin requiring insurance companies to re-underwrite their NFIP policies in order to determine if the underlying properties are being rated based on the most current flood map. This is a critical first step toward correcting inaccurate flood insurance rates and clearly communicating the full risk to all policy holders.

 Read more about the April 1, 2016 changes: http://nfipiservice.com/Stakeholder/FEMA7/W-15046.html

Also, here is the realtor.org link to the flood insurance “toolkit” with a suite of links and definitions: http://www.realtor.org/topics/national-flood-insurance-program-nfip/nfip-toolkit

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  Military Foreclosure Bill Passes

On March 21, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2393, the "Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2015," which extends the one-year protection from foreclosure in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) through 2017. The Senate passed S. 2393 in 2015 and the legislation is expected to be signed by the President.

You can read more about the issue and read NAR’s letter of support HERE.

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif   NAR Joins Coalition Letter on Marketplace Fairness

NAR, as part of the "Marketplace Fairness Coalition," sent a letter on March 15 to the House Judiciary Committee urging its Chairman, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) to hold a hearing on internet sales tax fairness legislation. NAR joins others in the belief that it’s crucial Congress pass legislation allowing states to collect sales tax on purchases made through online retailers.

For more on the issue, click here.

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif   Flood Advocate Reports to Congress

On March 17, 2016, the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate issued its first annual report identifying the first set of issues to be addressed in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Among the challenges are: lack of data, barriers to claims, application of surcharges, multi-year refunds, and flood proofing paperwork.

NAR recently sent a letter to Congress supporting the mission of the NFIP advocacy office and urged full funding for the office to assist additional property owners. NAR will continue to work to provide adequate resources for a true advocate for homeowners.

Read the Advocate's Report (link is external)

Read NAR’s letter to Congress (link is external)

http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/images/content/pagebuilder/28022.gif  Electronic FPC Packets for NAR’s Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo 

 This year, your FPC packets will again be electronic, which means you will be able to download and print all of your information in advance. Your electronic packets will be available for download in late April/early May through the REALTOR® Action Center FPC page at www.realtoractioncenter/epacket2016. Your electronic packets will include the following:

    • Talking Points
    • NAR Congressional Map Report
    • RPR Report
    • Capitol Hill Map
    • Do’s and Don’ts of Meeting with Members of Congress
    • Helpful Tips
      • Important meetings
      • D.C. metro map
      • Restaurants around town
      • Contact Information for NAR Grassroots Team

You will receive your leave-behind material for your Capitol Hill meetings at the FPC Roundtable on May 10th, the Federal Issues Briefing on May 12th and pamphlets will also be available at the FPC Lounge. If you have any questions, please contact Victoria Givens at vgivens@realtors.org.

Hearings on the Hill

This week, all eyes were on the House as Senators were home in their states. The Ways and Means Committee reviewed tax reform proposals, while the Homeland Security Committee looked at the role of cyber insurance in risk management. Meanwhile, the Financial Services Committee examined various federal/state/ local regulations that are impacting housing prices, and the Small Business Committee discussed the health insurance tax credit. Budget discussions continued in the Appropriations and Energy & Commerce Committees as they examined the EPA budget, while the Natural Resources Committee reviewed the budgets for the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife. If you have any questions, please contact vgivens@realtors.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

 

  

Tips of the Trade

This Week:  Do's and Don'ts of Meeting with Members of Congress

DO

  • Do learn Members’ committee assignments and where their specialties lie.
  • Do present the need for what you’re asking the Member of Congress to do. Use data or cases you know.
  • Do relate situations in his/her home state or district.
  • Do ask the Representative’s or Senator’s position and why.
  • Do—in case of voting records—ask why he/she voted a particular way.
  • Do show openness to the knowledge of counterarguments and respond to them.
  • Do admit you don’t know. Offer to try to find out the answer and send information back to the office.
  • Do spend time with Members whose position is against yours. You can lessen the intensity of the opposition and perhaps change it.
  • Do spend time in developing relationships with Congressional staff.
  • Do thank them for instances where the Member has taken a stand on an issue which you support.

DON’T

  • Don’t overload a Congressional visit with too many issues.
  • Don’t confront, threaten, pressure or beg.
  • Don’t be argumentative. Speak with calmness and commitment so as not to put him/her on the defensive.
  • Don’t overstate the case. Members are very busy and you’re apt to lose their attention if you are too wordy.
  • Don’t expect Members of Congress to be specialists. Their schedules and workloads tend to make them generalists.
  • Don’t be put off by smokescreens or long-winded answers. Bring the Members back to the point. Maintain control of the meetings.
  • Don’t make promises you can’t deliver.
  • Don’t be afraid to take a stand on the issues.
  • Don’t shy away from meetings with legislators with known views opposite your own.
  • Don’t be offended if a legislator is unable to meet and requests that you meet with his/her staff.
  • Don’t discount Congressional staff. Many Congressional staffers look (and are) young.  However, do not assume that such a staffer does not have significant responsibility and the ear of his or her Member.

 

 

**FPC Weekly Newsletters are now online!


 
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