For most of us we insure our assets. We purchase life insurance, health insurance, homeowner insurance, auto insurance and even jewelry insurance, but have you ever thought about insuring the future of your business? What would happen if something big changed in your real estate business? More than most industries, there is always real estate legislation being proposed to impact you and your business, from tax regulation to increased oversight.
The industry is constantly facing new regulations and taxes and is why investing in our Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee (CORPAC) and the larger national RPAC is so important.
Most recently we are dealing with restrictions on short-term rentals (i.e., AIRBNBs, VBROs, etc.), which could impact many of our chieftain from full use of their properties. Just 18 months ago, our local lobbyist worked with members and city legislators to protect our commercial REALTORS® from overreach of sign ordinances, fees that would have cost our commercial members thousands of dollars annually.
Additionally, RPAC Ohio has ensured protection of its members impacted by paying sales tax on each commission they receive; working to streamline Ohio’s municipal tax filing process, which was confusing and a burden on agents, and simplifying the payment of local income taxes owed.
Did you know that these are the kind of issues your money contributed to CORPAC is used for? Yes, most people think that contributions to CORPAC and PAC is just political ‘hoopla’, but in reality, it’s like paying an annual insurance premium on your real estate business.
Simply put, CORPAC funds collected are used to help elect a combination of Democrats and Republicans (really it’s 50/50!), who are friendly to the real estate industry. Candidates who sit in front of the CORPAC Governing Board (dollars out), are elected from amongst Columbus REALTORS® leadership, and tasked with interacting and representing the real estate side of all issues that affect our clients and way of business. While you may be reluctant to be involved in politics, your PAC is the way we ensure REALTORS® have a seat at the table – without this, REALTORS® and the real estate industry will continue to be on the menu.
Dollars contributed by members and affiliates provide day-to-day advocacy and representation for you and your business. What better insurance do you need? And it’s not expensive.
The easiest way to pay your business insurance is to NOT UNCHECK THE BOX on your annual Association dues. Yes, for only $30 you can make a difference. There are other fun ways you can donate as well. Come to one of the networking events put on by the CORPAC Fundraising Committee this year!
CORPAC-OPOLY Auction: May 10 from 6-8:30, at St. Charles’ Walter Commons. All auction items purchased will go to CORPAC and to your personal giving record (which is important when applying for sales awards, etc.) CORPAC Golf Outing: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Come join one of the largest golf outings in central Ohio, with two courses and 224 golfers last year; your golf entry fee will go to CORPAC.
When you donate to CORPAC, your investment is split equally and provides for local, state and national representation. CORPAC retains 33 percent for local advocacy and passes 67 percent on to the state and national REALTOR® PACs.
In my (Jill Rudler) career, of soon to be 40 years as a REALTOR®, I’m not sure I could think of a more worthwhile place to invest than CORPAC, to protect not just my day-to-day real estate business, but my family, REALTOR® friends, and neighbors.
Join us in not unchecking the box on your dues, come to the Auction, buy an Auction item, come out to golf, or just for the dinner in September. When you attend, please come and talk to me, I would like to personally say thank you for your participation in reaching this year’s fundraising goal (which is $195,000!).
In addition to our fundraising goal, your chairs are shooting for a 41 percent participation rate. I’d love to see it get to 100 percent someday like other industries who work hard to protect their members.
This is a big election year for both central Ohio and all of Ohio. If you can’t invest, please vote for candidates supported by the REALTOR® party. We have our Biennial Election in 2018. That means we are going to vote for many Statewide races including Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.
Locally in central Ohio, we have some very challenging races, including the office of Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo (who is a great advocate of our industry and a friend of many). Regardless of who you support, each race this year will affect the real estate industry in one way or another.
One more thing ... don’t forget to thank the Major Investors who have invested in your real estate business by donating $1,000 to $10,000 each year. These are our true heroes. They are the ones who have pioneered our careers in Ohio real estate and those who continue to fund our collective voice at the local, state, and national level.
Lastly, please join us in giving a big shout-out and thank you to Barbara Lach, who has reached the $50,000 Lifetime RPAC Hall of Fame this year. Recognized at the national level, Barbara is just the second member to reach this honored achievement. Thank you Barbara, from all of your fellow Columbus REALTORS®!
