While 2021 was a demanding year, Greater Tampa REALTORS® held strong and made it to 2022! Despite a few setbacks, we’re happy to announce many positive highlights from this past year. The REALTOR® Party had several influential legislative wins to benefit the real estate industry, consumers, and private property owners.
Among our legislative victories, were three bills with significant impact: Senate Bill 72, provides COVID-19 business liability protections for Florida businesses and health care providers; Senate Bill 50, creates a massive reduction to the Business Rent Tax from 5.5% to 2%, saving commercial tenants an estimated $1.23 billion annually; and Senate Bill 76, curbs rising property insurance costs. In addition, nearly $900 million was raised to support environmental initiatives. 2021 Legislative Victories Flyer.
These victories would not have been possible without REALTORS® voluntary investments made to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC).
RPAC’s mission is to identify candidates for elected office on the local, state, and national levels who will work with REALTORS® to promote and protect the American Dream of homeownership. Candidates that receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues. Our legislative allies are members of the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party supports the issues that are important to your business as a REALTOR®, regardless of political party affiliation.
A special thank you to all our RPAC Major Investors and members who invested in RPAC! As a result of REALTOR® Party member support, we surpassed our 2021 RPAC fundraising goal!
OUR 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:
- Historical High RPAC Fundraising Total: $340,019
- Historical High Member Participation Rate of 57%
- Second Highest Participation Rate in the State
- Historical High RPAC Major Investors: 41
RPAC is BIPARTISAN, supporting candidates and pro- REALTOR® issues. We recognize that an industry that shies away from politics is an industry whose future is unstable and uncertain. Your voluntary investments in RPAC earn us a seat at the table with legislative and policy decision makers on Capitol Hill, statehouses, and city halls across the country. Your continued support and engagement allow us to shape the size, scope, and success of real estate industry for REALTORS® and business, property, and homeowners alike.
Together, we can help protect the real estate industry and the American Dream of Homeownership for ALL!
2022 Legislative Priorities
With the 2022 Florida Legislative Regular Session convening on January 11th, bills are being monitored to protect Realtors’ and property owners’ interests. Florida continues to experience a housing affordability crisis, with educators, medical personnel, and first responders finding it challenging to achieve the dream of homeownership. To help remedy this issue, the Hometown Hero Housing Program (HHHP) would complement existing federal, state, and local efforts to increase affordable housing opportunities for Florida’s front-line and emergency workers. Legislation is also being monitored to make homeownership more affordable by curbing insurance costs, addressing sea level rise in coastal communities, and evaluating condominium reforms.
Next month, GTR members will travel to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers and advocate for these issues and others that affect the real estate profession. To learn more about these advocacy efforts and the 2022 Legislative Priorities, click here.
Disclaimer: Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and will be used for political purposes. Contributions are not a condition of membership in the Association and a member may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Seventy percent of each contribution is provided to the Florida Realtors PAC in Florida to support state and local candidates and state and local issues. The balance is sent to the National Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee and will be charged against your contribution limits prescribed by 52 U.S.C 301106, except when donations are made from corporate funds or are designated cases in which case the balance is provided to the National Association of REALTORS® Political Advocacy Fund for use for federal political purpose.
As a member of the REALTOR® Party, we encourage you to vote for candidates and issues that build strong communities, protect property interests, and promote a vibrant business environment at the local, state, and national levels. Voting is the easiest way to make your voice heard!
Get involved! Serve on committees, participate in our advocacy and community outreach events. We need you. Also, make sure you are responding to Calls for Action from the National Association of REALTORS®. Calls for Action are messages sent out by NAR regarding an urgent public policy issue. As a member, you can participate in the Call for Action and contact your representative to support or oppose a specific issue.
SIGN UP FOR REALTOR® PARTY MOBILE ALERTS HERE OR TEXT THE WORD REALTORS TO 30644
100% of your contribution is used to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates. 30% of your contribution is forwarded to the National RPAC to fund key U.S. House and Senate races; 70% remains in your state and is used for local and state elections. To make an investment:
- Access the NAR RPAC Webpage.
- Click on the “Invest in RPAC” tab in the middle of the page.
- Log in using your NRDs #
