The Advocate of the Year Award is presented annually in recognition of a Columbus REALTORS® member who best personifies selflessness in grassroots advocacy and CORPAC fundraising, service to his or her profession, peers, and the REALTOR® Association. Criteria includes that, over the past year, the recipient has made outstanding contributions to the industry through grassroots involvement, fundraising, and special projects in their national, state, and local associations.
To nominate a REALTOR® member, please contact Government Affairs Director Vincent Coleman. Nominations close at close of business, Friday, October 3rd.
Local –
Columbus REALTORS® Board approves support for Housing Affordability Bond
· This week, the association Board of Directors approved a recommendation from the Government Affairs Issues Advocacy Committee to support Issue 8 of the upcoming bond package before Columbus voters this November.
· Issue 8: Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Development, will appear on November 4th ballot and if approved, will go toward:
- Purchasing, improving, and remediating sites for new housing;
- Upgrading community facilities; and
- Assist in building out the newly formed Division of Housing Stability
- Staffing, programming, resources for landlords/tenants, etc.
- More info HERE and HERE
State –
New Property Tax Recommendations Released: What Comes Next?
· The Property Tax Working Group created by Governor DeWine has released its long-awaited report, outlining a slate of recommendations aimed at delivering property tax relief.
· The report follows a year of intense legislative focus on Ohio’s rising property tax burden and comes months after several REALTOR®-supported property tax reforms were vetoed from the state budget.
· While not all ideas align perfectly with previous REALTOR®-backed proposals, many reflect the core goals we’ve been fighting for: transparency, fairness, and relief for homeowners.
· Staff are monitoring and will update membership. Visit the link kin the title to learn more.
National –
What is a Government Shutdown, and What Happens Next?
· The Oct. 1 deadline for Congress to pass a stopgap spending measure or reach a larger spending agreement has come and gone, and a government shutdown has officially begun.
· The shutdown will affect housing, mortgage and other programs critical to the real estate economy. Services deemed essential, such as the U.S. Postal Service, will continue to operate. Additionally, the shutdown means a lapse in authority for the National Flood Insurance Program.
· Staff are monitoring and will update membership. Reference the attached document to learn what this means for Real Estate.
