What is the REALTOR^® Party?

An energized movement of real estate professionals fighting to keep the dream of homeownership alive for this country.

Click on the video to learn more!

Now more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS^® across America to come together and speak with one voice about the stability a sound and dynamic real estate market brings to this country of ours. From city hall to the state house to the U.S. Capitol, our elected officials are making decisions that have a huge impact on the bottom line of REALTORS^® and their customers. Through the support of people like you, the REALTOR^® Party will continue to be there representing your interests.

For more information on the REALTOR® Party, click here.

The 2010 General Election brought a shift in the balance of power in Salem, as the Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives are no longer controlled by super majorities.  In fact, with an evenly split House and likely a very narrow majority in the Senate, a renewed call for a bipartisan approach is resonating in the State Capitol.

Oregon RPAC supported candidates that demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring a prosperous real estate market, the protection of private property rights and enhancing flexibility in Oregon‘s land use system.  Ninety-six percent of the candidates supported by Oregon RPAC were elected to office.

Oregon Senate

At this point, several Senate races have yet to be certified, clearly demonstrating how valuable each and every vote is.  Democrats currently have a 15 to 13 “majority,” with two races yet to be determined.  In unofficial results, Senator Alan Bates (D – Ashland) has a very narrow lead over challenger Dave Dotterer (R – Ashland), and Alan Olsen (R – Canby) likewise enjoys a narrow lead over Senator Martha Schrader (D – Canby).  If the unofficial results hold up, Democrats will have a slight majority of 16 to 14.

House of Representatives

In one of the larger transitions of power in recent Oregon history, House Republicans gained six seats to bring the Oregon House of Representatives to a 30 to 30 split.  In addition, every single House candidate supported by Oregon RPAC prevailed. Discussions are now ongoing to determine the composition of legislative committees and leadership, with equal representation of both parties on each House committee the likely outcome.

Governor

After eight years away from public office, John Kitzhaber (D – Portland) will be returning to Mahonia Hall.  In one of the closest elections in Oregon history, Governor Kitzhaber defeated Chris Dudley by approximately 20,000 votes out of 1.2 million cast.

None of critical support to Oregon RPAC candidates would have been possible without your investments and your commitment to your industry.  Thank you!

*To see the candidates supported by Oregon RPAC, click here.

The OAR Voters Guide for the web illustrates candidates the Oregon REALTORS® Political Action Committee supports in the coming 2010 General Election. With ballots being sent out to voters already, it is important that you understand which candidates are supportive of the real estate industry — protecting private property rights, strengthening flexibility in Oregon’s land use system and maintaining housing affordability.

In today’s difficult economic times it’s more important than ever that you vote!

The 2010 RPAC Fundraising Year is officially over. Any contributions received at the Oregon Association of REALTORS office from October 15 forward will count towards the 2011 Fundraising Year. Thank you to everyone for your hard work and support!

Congratulations to Rushell Wood of Eagle Point, OR, for being the winner of the Oregon RPAC iPad raffle! It is with the support of our members that we can be successful.

This year we were $6,000 short of our NAR Fair Share Goal. Although we did not quite meet our goal, we came closer than we have in years past. This means that in 2011, our goal will be impossible not to meet.

Congratulations to all the boards/associations who met NAR Goal this year.

Baker                                                                 Klamath

Central Oregon                                                 Lincoln

Central Oregon Coast                                       Mid-Columbia

Columbia Basin                                                 Polk

Cottage Grove                                                  Rogue Valley

East Metro                                                        Springfield

Eugene                                                             Umatilla

Thank you for your investment in your business. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2011!

Supporting Oregon RPAC may be the best investment that you can make in your business in 2010.  And if you can make an additional investment of $30 or more, you’ll be entered to win a brand new Apple iPad. But you must act before midnight, October 11, 2010.

In this critical election year every dollar counts as our team is working hard to make sure candidates hear the voice of Oregon REALTORS^® like you loud and clear. It is essential that every candidate understands what a strong climate for real estate means to Oregon families and communitiies large and small across our state.

Please, make your investment in RPAC today and win an iPad in the process!

We are winding down the 2010 RPAC fundraising year and unfortunately, we are still short of NAR’s Fair Share Goal. Please, if you have not yet gotten in your 2010 investment, wait no longer! With this being a critical election year, we need these funds more than ever to make a difference in this election.  So take a quick minute from your day and make your investment in RPAC right now!

Congratulations to the 12 Boards/Associations who have met the NAR Fair Share Goal:

Baker County                                                                   Lincoln County

Central Oregon                                                               Mid-Columbia

Central Oregon Coast                                                   Polk County

Columbia Basin                                                               Rogue Valley

East Metro                                                                        Springfield

Klamath                                                                             Umatilla

Remember, there is still time. You have until October 13^th to get your investment in and ensure that you are recognized in the 2010 investment year.  RPAC makes your business a priority, make RPAC one of yours. Click here to invest right now.

The Threat We Face

Oregon faces budget deficits in the billions - which will no doubt be larger when the legislature convenes in January. Local governments across the state are dealing with severe budget shortfalls as well. Oregon homeowners are a tempting target for taxes on the sale and transfer of real estate. In the last few legislative sessions, there have been 10 attempts to authorize such a tax. Amending our state constitution is the only way to protect Oregon Homeowners from this unfair double tax.

Sign & Return Your Petitions ASAP!

The Oregon REALTORS® have launched a statewide petition drive to stop a NEW REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX. This unprecedented grassroots effort will only succeed with your help. By now, you should have received your petition sheet in the mail.

Please sign and return the petition as soon as possible to help stop new real estate transfer taxes! If each REALTOR® collects just ten signatures, we would qualify this measure immediately. Please do what you can – gather signatures and talk to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors about this important measure.

Get Involved Today! If you did not receive the petition sheet or if you need more, simply email the campaign at learnmore@protectoregonhomes.com and request more! If you have any questions regarding collecting volunteer signatures visit: Frequently Asked Questions – So you want to circulate a petition?

To learn more about the campaign, visit us at www.ProtectOregonHomes.com

Share your story of how the REALTOR® Party has helped your clients, your community or your business. Get out your cameras and make a short, creative video that shows us why “Vote, Act, Invest” is important to you. You could win a $500 gift card and have your video featured at this year’s NAR Annual Conference in New Orleans this November.

Click here for all the details!

Congratulations to the following Associations/Boards who have met NAR’s Fair Share Goal:

Baker County, Lincoln County, Central Oregon, Polk County, Central Oregon Coast, Rogue Valley, Columbia Basin, Springfield, East Metro, Umatilla and Klamath. 

Each year the National Association of REALTORS® sets a “fair share” goal that we must meet. If this goal is not realized, we at the state and local levels, make up the difference to NAR out of our own member investments. This leaves less money for critical state and local races, as we have to take money out of our own pockets. October 13^th is the RPAC contribution year-end and we are over three-quarters of the way to meeting NAR’s goal.  We are getting close, but we must continue to work diligently so that we don’t have to take critical dollars away from the state again this year. Let’s continue to raise funds to support a united REALTOR® voice.   

Remember, Oregon is the only state in the country that allows you to give your investment of $50 ($100 if filing jointly) and receive that money, dollar for dollar, back from the state. That means, essentially, that the state of Oregon is investing in RPAC for you; all you have to do is take the first step. Invest today. Please take this step to protect yourself, your business and your clients.

As a member of the REALTOR^® Party, you invest in your business by giving to the REALTORS^® Political Action Committee (RPAC), and  help RPAC build the bipartisan relationships necessary at all levels of government to ensure a sound and dynamic real estate market. As members of the REALTOR® Party, we:

Vote. Vote for candidates at the local, state and national levels who support the REALTOR® Party and  make the right decisions for your profession and your customers. Register to vote here!

Act. Act when called upon to support the REALTOR® Party at the local, state and national levels. You recognize the importance of REALTORS® speaking with one voice, therefore will participate in Calls for Action, and if a broker, will join the Broker Involvement Program. Click here to join the Broker Involvement Program today!

Invest. As a member of the REALTOR® Party, you invest in your business by giving to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), and help RPAC build the bipartisan relationships necessary at all levels of government to ensure a sound and dynamic real estate market. Invest in RPAC now!