Happy President's Day: Government Affairs and Realtor Bus-In to Capitol Hill in Des Moines highlight the start of the week

Our Government Affairs committee as part of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors met with Len Sandler, with the University of Iowa and with four law students to discuss the recommended changes in Chapter 69 of the municipal code of Cedar Rapids.

The main discussion was on adding Lawful Source of Income to the Civil Rights Protections in Cedar Rapids, in the areas of protection for Housing. The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is recommended updated protections in the area of Familial Status, Gender Identity, Marital Status, Mental Disability, Association, Retaliation, as well as Lawful Sources of Income.

Realtors from all across the State of Iowa will bus-in to Des Moines on Tuesday to visit with State Legislators, as well as a visit with other members of State Government. This is our annual bus-in for 2011.

At Noon on Monday, Ted Townsend & Richard Pankey presented a Cedar Rapids Medical District Update to members of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids. Robin Tucker is a third generation Rotarian, with the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids. Both his grandfather and father were members. His father, Tommy, is still an active Rotarian for over 45 years now. Robin joined Rotary in 1989.

At Rotary, the news mentioned that the City of Cedar Rapids has determined the language and breakdown for the proposed extension of the Local Option Sales Tax for 20 years through 2034. The Council will tackle the proposal and likely move it for a May 3Rd public measure at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, the City Council will also have a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2012 City Budget, as well as the ten year Capital Improvement Budget. The City Council regularly meets twice a month in Cedar Rapids.

We currently have houses for rent in Cedar Rapids, as well as houses for sale in the greater Cedar Rapids area. Are you looking for something in 2011? Please contact us, if we can be of assistance for your property management and real estate brokerage needs.

ttrco

Attended Government Affairs Meeting for January 24, 2011 at CRAAR

1. Introductions and update on the Chamber Government Affairs meeting on Friday was presented


2. IAR Bus-In Day is February 22


3. New Business


4. Old Business


5. IAR Video Conference

• Recap of Chamber Legislative update


• Sen Rob Hogg's promotion of Flood Control for Community legislation was mentioned again


• We discussed the local ordinance change on Chapter 69 of the municipal code, which covers our local civil rights laws


• Some discussion on Government Leases and Crime Free Leases

First IAR Video Conference of the 2011 Iowa Legislative Session

• Children in need of assistance - impacts of a Meth House and proposed legislation. What will the impact be on property owners, including Landlords


• Minnesota adopted a strict bill that lead to occupancy being pulled, foreclosure


• SF 24 - Mandates for home inspectors to be licensed in Iowa


• Property Taxes - Iowa House has proposed legislation


• Schools and Mental Health expenses being shifted to State to relieve property taxes?


• State Boards and Commissions


• Realtor proposed legislation: unlicensed, out of state companies doing business in Iowa

ttrco

Our local Realtor® Government Affairs meeting for Apirl 2010

We will meet with one of the candidates for U.S. Congress in the 2Nd Congressional District. This month's special guest is Steve Rathje, who is one of the four candidates for the Republican nomination. The primary will be held on Tuesday, June 8Th in the State of Iowa and in the 2Nd District. In May, our committee is scheduled to meet with Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, one of the other candidates.

Iowa Property Owners Alliance - Home
Information for Iowa property owners. Resources, legislation, and legal updates. Contact Iowa legislators regarding property ownership in Iowa.

Recent Legislation in the State of Iowa
Realtors are often involved in the community at the local, State and even Federal level regarding property rights and affordable housing. Robin Tucker participated in the 2010 Realtor Bus-In held during the 2010 Iowa Legislative Session that ended in March 2010.

ttrco

Attended the March Government Affairs Meeting of the CRAAR

Robin Tucker attended the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors® this morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Association's conference room.

• Meeting with Federal Candidates discussed
• RPAC
• Federal Hill Visits
• IAR Video Call on State Legislation update
• House will hopefully work on Private Transfer Fees this week as the State Legislature works to close out the Legislation Session by the end of the month: Budget
• Discussed legislation that have passed and failed
• Chapter 29 and other local public policy issues

ttrco

Meet with fellow Realtors® ahead of Iowa Association of Realtors® Legislative Bus In Day

How a Bill Becomes a Law
Hill Notes

2010

The 2010 Iowa Legislature

Legislative Resources

• Iowa Legislature


• US Senate


• US House of Representatives


• Iowa Real Estate Commission

The top issues for this year's Bus-In

• Fire Sprinkler Legislation - HF 2062/SF 2051


• Private Transfer Fees


• Tenant-Landlord Issues


• Right to Work


• The State Budget

We had our final Monday morning Legislative teleconference this morning ahead of tomorrow's Bus In Day. Legislative issues are important and Realtors are involved at the grassroots level locally, statewide and in Washington DC.

ttrco

Attended CRAAR Government Affairs meeting this morning

Happy Presidents' Day everyone!

We attended the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors Government Affairs meeting this morning.

Listen to fellow Realtors speak about the City's Open House #2: Urban Design Concepts. After the meeting, we searched the City web site and noticed this PDF file on SMID Commission strategy. The City of Cedar Rapids is planning an Open House on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.

During today's meeting Lobbyist Jen Kingland gave an update on a variety of State Legislative issues, after last week's funnel date. Discussion included a variety of legislative issues, but was not limited to Flood Disclosure, CO2 mandates, Private Transfer Fees, handling of felonies, Mechanic Liens, Fire Sprinklers, Escrow licensing, Right to Work and Fair Share, SSB 3176, Landlord eviction legislation, Training rules for Lead, Radon, Meth disclosure and we closed with the texting while driving legislation.

ttrco

Attended CRAAR Legislative Breakfast this morning with fellow Realtors in Cedar Rapids

Four area legislators visited with fellow Realtors in Cedar Rapids this morning at a Legislative Breakfast at the Longbranch put on by the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors.

Thanks to Senators Wally Horn and Rob Hogg and to House members Tyler Olson and Kirsten Running-Marquart for their participation today.

There is a lot of work ahead in the State of Iowa and locally with the budget gap and flood/disaster recovery. Further, concerns were voiced on housing affordability from impact fees and new mandates on housing.

ttrco