2008 Election Resources
Download 2007 RPAC Tribute
Featured REALTOR® Advocate Articles
2008 MPLP Fellowship
Through the
Michigan Political Leadership Program, a diverse group of twenty-four individuals are annually awarded the opportunity to participate in a hands-on curriculum that incorporates personal leadership development, public policy process and analysis, effective governance, and practical politics. Use the links below for more information and to obtain a downloadable application.
What is RPAC?
DISCLAIMER:
The following page is intended for viewing only by members. This is not a public solicitation.  The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is the best way a REALTOR® can protect his or her business. RPAC is the only grassroots and issues mobilizing force that exists to protect and promote the tradition of home ownership and real estate investment.
By contributing to RPAC, you are able to support REALTOR®-friendly legislators who believe in our industry and believe in protecting private property rights, preserving the American dream of home ownership, fighting for tax reforms and reducing burdensome regulations on our business. With RPAC, REALTORS® from across the state have the chance to come together and become active in the nation's most powerful and effective lobbying machine.
By becoming part of RPAC, you'll not only have the power to make a change in the way you do business, but you'll also become part of a statewide network—more than 27,000 members strong—that will link you with like-minded REALTORS® who share your concerns and issues.
RPAC helps your business succeed RPAC is the real estate industry's insurance to promote and protect the real estate profession for all MAR members. MAR staff monitors REALTOR® legislation daily, promotes REALTOR®-friendly legislation and keeps potentially harmful legislation from becoming law. With term limits it's more important than ever to contribute.
Your RPAC donations, however, do not pay for staff. 100% of your contributions are used for donations to bipartisan candidates.
See how much the average Michigan REALTOR® saved last year in taxes due to stopping another sales tax on services proposal.
How you can get involved There are a number of ways you can get involved with RPAC. Click here to contribute online
Please make a note that you will need your NRDS # for this process. If you do not know your NRDS #, you may click on this link to find it. Call your local association to see when the next legislative meeting will take place. It's a great way to meet fellow REALTOR® members and get involved at a new level. E-mail Brad Ward or call him at 800.454.7842. It's that easy. The best part is that once you are involved, the benefits are tremendous and they last forever.
2008 Candidate Interview Manual coming soon...  
Request for political contribution to the RPAC Trustee Committee. Contribution commitment form.
2006/2007 MAR RPAC Accomplishments
- Recognized as #3 Advocacy group in Lansing
- RPAC is now the largest business PAC in Michigan
- Defeated 2% sales tax on services
- Saved REALTORS® from a 900% tax increase under new MBT
- Held off expansion of the transfer tax
- Passed ballot initiative Eminent Domain
- Defeated ballot initiative K16
- Expanded the Real Estate Enforcement Fund to help Attorney General go after real estate fraud
- Defeated point of sale septic inspections
- Defeated proposal to exempt windmills from local zoning
- Defeated oil and gas disclosure requirements
- Passed increased appraiser education standards
- Passed Consolidated Zoning Act
- Defeated legislation to retroactively recapture additions under WPW
- Aided in educating the Legislature on the Price of Government budget strategy
- Passed legislation against prohibiting cul de sacs and requiring counties to accept bonds for road improvements
- Amended the Obsolete Property and Rehabilitation Act to allow Bay City redevelopment to continue
- Passed legislation to allow commercial property owners to bypass the local board of review in property tax disputes
- Defeated legislation to increase county record fees
- Passed legislation to address methamphetamine labs in Michigan
- Passed license fee and continuing education changes along with adding boilerplate to DLEG budget
- Amended seller disclosure to provide for allergens
- Passed Streamlined Plat Act
- Passed Contract Zoning Act
- Passed Lead Free Rental Housing Registry
- Passed Land Bank Redevelopment Fast Track Authority Act
- Successfully advocated against the inclusion of real estate licensees under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act
- Successfully advocated for the withdrawal of newly introduced DEQ guidelines as applied to the Critical Dunes area
- Implemented most successful Call to Action ever; 10,000 emails sent to State
Representatives and Senators on 2% Sales Tax on Services. Utilized new grass roots software
- Provided timely reporting through e-mail of big events like the 2% tax on services issue, the Governor’s State of the State address, and various other real estate legislative issues
- Instituted Public Policy Field Reports
- Executed an ‘Issues Under the Dome’ section of the Web site to report on Lansing news impacting the membership
- Increased number of major donors
- Increased recognition of local associations at the Achieve Conference RPAC awards luncheon
- Increased individual recognition of RPAC contributors through events and web/print publications
- Increased the size of the RPAC Trustee Committee to expand local association representation
- Increased local involvement in RPAC by setting up local check presentations
- Partnered w/ NAR in RPAC beta test to increase RPAC participation
- Continue to train local staff about RPAC policies to make locals more effective in leading contribution collection efforts
- Increased recognition and prominence of major donors
- Consistently bi-partisan in endorsement process while having a high rate of success on Election Day
- REALTOR® Advocate publication won the Diamond Award from MSAE last year for a quality government affairs publication
2008 MAR RPAC Goals
|
