Communication:

A newsletter was sent out to the general membership titled 2006 Simply the Best and can be viewed at http://66.151.72.141/DispNewsletter.cfm?NEWSLETTER_ID=1773.

An article in the January issue of the Houston REALTOR® Magazine profiled “Experience- HAR Governmental Affairs”, the Political Affairs Advisory Group, the Governmental Affairs Advisory Group, and their respective Chairs.

A newsletter was sent to constituents of State Representative, District 29, to remind them of the January 8-12 early voting schedule of the Tuesday, January 16 runoff election between HAR recommended candidate Mike O’Day and Randy Weber. It can be viewed at
http://66.151.72.141/DispNewsletter.cfm?NEWSLETTER_ID=1778.

Get-out-the-REALTOR®-vote calls were made to support HAR recommended candidate Mike O’Day in the runoff election.

Two articles in the February issue of the Houston REALTOR® Magazine was submitted profiling the Branch Political Affairs Advisory Leadership Groups and Chairs and the City of Houston’s Homebuyer’s Assistance Program.

The Governmental Affairs Department’s Web site is in the process of being updated to reflect the new elected officials and volunteers.

Events:

December 21
HAR Governmental Affairs Department, Ray Holtzapple, Political Affairs Advisory Group Chair, Ed Wolff, Governmental Affairs Advisory Group Chair, Debi Trahan, Bay Area Political Affairs Advisory Leadership Chair, and Cameron Hill, Fort Bend Political Affairs Advisory Leadership Chair met to discuss their 2007 vision, plan, and goals.

December 31
Article covering HAR’s Most Generous TREPAC Investors and Elected Officials Reception was covered in Jude Patronella’s column in the Houston Chronicle’s Real Estate Section. That three Congressmen attended our event was the buzz at the reception.

January 5
HAR Governmental Affairs Department sponsored GRI luncheon. Ray Holtzapple, Political Affairs Advisory Group Chair, spoke with members about the Governmental Affairs Department, involvement in the Governmental Affairs Advisory Group, Political Affairs Advisory Group, and the importance of TREPAC. He also highlighted REALTOR® Lobby Day in Austin on Tuesday, March 27.

January 8-11
Karen Driscoll and I attended the National Association of REALTORS® Governmental Affairs Meeting, which included RPAC Fundraising Meetings and Federal Political Coordinators (FPC) Training in Washington, D.C. Among the FPC’s of Greater Houston who attended the training were Vicki Fullerton, FPC for U.S. Representative Kevin Brady, George Stephens, FPC for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, John Nichols, FPC for U.S. Representative John Culberson, Delora Wilkinson, FPC for U.S. Representative Ted Poe, and Gerald Womack, FPC for U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

January 23
A joint Governmental Affairs and Political Affairs Advisory Groups orientation is scheduled from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Houston Title located at 777 Post Oak Boulevard.

February
HAR’s Affordable Housing Task Force, headed by Michael Levitin and Shad Bogany, is working with the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department to develop a program to educate REALTORS® about the City’s downpayment assistance programs and Mayor White’s Houston HOPE project. The first Affordable Housing Class will be held at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center located at 3611 Ennis. Date and time to be determined.

March 27
REALTOR® Lobby Day in Austin. A $99 TREPAC investment will be asked of members who participate in this biennial bus trip.

May 16 & 17
Congressional visits in Washington, D. C.