Motion from Political Affairs Advisory Group
It is moved and seconded to support Melissa Noriega in the June 16, 2007 Runoff Election for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3.
The PAAG also recommends a $1000 TREPAC contribution.
Rationale: As you will recall, the following motion was made to the HAR Board of Directors at the March 19th meeting:
In the May 12, 2007, Special Election for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3, the Political Affairs Advisory Group recommends to the HAR Board of Directors that HAR make no candidate recommendation at this time. The PAAG recommends waiting until the runoff election between the top two voter-getters and then making a recommendation to the Board. Approved on March 19.
None of the 11 candidates vying for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3 received 50% of the votes in the May 12th Election. However, Melissa Noriega received an overwhelming 46.6% (15,945) of the votes and the closest vote getter was Roy Morales by a distant 18.5% (6,345). A runoff election will take place on Saturday, June 16.
The following TREPAC contribution was presented:
| Name |
Amount |
|
| U. S. Representative Gene Green |
$1,000 |
Federal Political Coordinator Carlos Garcia assembled a golf foursome. Carlos and I met Congressman Green on at the Hermann Park Golf Course. |
| U. S. Representative John Culberson |
$1,000 |
Federal Political Coordinator John Nichols, George Stephens, Ward Arendt, and I attended a fundraiser on May 4 at Astrid and Gene Van Dyke’s home in River Oaks. |
| U. S. Representative Ted Poe |
$1,000 |
Federal Political Coordinator Delora Wilkinson and I attended a fundraiser on April 23 at Ned Holmes’ home. |
| Houston Mayor Bill White |
$5,000 |
HAR is assembling a table of 8 for Mayor White’s May 22 fundraiser at the George R. Brown Convention Center. |
| Harris County Comm. Sylvia Garcia |
$1,500 (half a table of 10) |
John Nugent, Billy Burt, Troy Cothran, Mary Keen, and I will attend the luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on May 24. |
| Harris County Comm. Jerry Eversole |
$1,250 (half a table of 10) |
July 19 fundraiser breakfast at the Westin Galleria |
Communications:
April 20
A “Be Informed and Vote in the May 12th Election” email newsletter was sent to Fort Bend members informing them of May 12 election and of the support for Proposition 1 that the HAR Board of Directors recommended to its members and in the May 12, 2007, Mobility Bond Election in Fort Bend County. Proposition 1 states "the issuance of Fort Bend County general obligation bonds for roads and bridges in the amount of $156,000,000".
April 27
A Get Out the Realtor® Vote email newsletter was emailed to Fort Bend members.
May 1
A Get Out the Realtor® Vote email newsletter was emailed to all HAR members to inform them of the following 3 measures:
Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3, Special Election - In the May 12, 2007, Special Election for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3, the HAR Board of Directors will make no candidate recommendation at this time. Eleven candidates are running for this position. Volunteers serving on HAR's Political Affairs Advisory Group recommended to the HAR Board of Directors to wait until the runoff election between the top two voter-getters and then make a recommendation to the Board.
Vote FOR Fort Bend County Mobility Bonds - The Houston Association of REALTORSÒ Board of Directors recommends to its members to support and vote for Proposition One in the May 12, 2007, Mobility Bond Election in Fort Bend County. The proposition states "the issuance of Fort Bend County general obligation bonds for roads and bridges in the amount of $156,000,000".
TAR's Legislative Management Team Recommends Support for Constitutional Amendment - The Texas Association of Realtors® Legislative Management Team has endorsed the constitutional amendment that will provide tax relief to senior or disabled taxpayers who did not receive tax relief as a result of the school tax-rate reduction passed in the 79th Legislature. Please see the following section for an explanation of the constitutional amendment, which will be on all the ballots.
The newsletter contained early vote information including polling locations and sample ballots for Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties.
May 2
A “Pasadena Realtor® : Be Informed and Vote in the May 12th Election” email newsletter was sent to Pasadena Realtors®. This newsletter was specific to members residing in Pasadena to inform them of important amendments to their city charter that would change their form of government to a council manager form of government.
May 4
HAR Governmental Affairs Department emailed a letter of support for House Bill 2006, co-authored by State Representative Beverly Woolley, Mike O’Day, Patricia Harless, Joe Crabb, Charlie Howard, and Bill Callegari to our delegation of State Representatives. The bill aimed at creating transparency and accountability to all parties involved in the eminent domain process.
House Bill 2006 was struck down by a point of order based upon an incorrect bill analysis. It was sent back to committee and was reported favorably. It will be on the House calendar for a vote soon.
May 6
A letter and a copy of the Houston Realtor® were mailed to our congressional delegation in preparation for NAR’s Mid Year Conference. They outlined our talking points to be discussed in our visits.
May 10
An Election Day Get Out the Realtor® Vote newsletter was emailed to all HAR members to again inform them of the May 12 election.
Political Activities
April 12
In preparation for our May congressional visits, a Federal Political Contact Team working lunch and legislative update was held with NAR’s new Field Representative, Michael Rendina, and Managing Director of Political Field Operations, John Ferruggiaro, in the HAR Board Room from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Those in attendance included Rob Cook, Carlos Garcia, Sabrina Miller, Sandy MacNaughton, Jill Bagley, Barbara Stubblefield, John Nichols, Chaille Ralph, Debi Trahan, Mary Keen, Delora Wilkinson, George Stephens, Ray Holtzapple, Vicki Fullerton, Cameron Hill, Ed Gonzales, Carolyn Matthews, Mary Starr, Ward Arendt and Larry Littlejohn.
April 19
I attended Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s finance committee meeting at Carter & Burgess.
April 23
Delora Wilkinson, Federal Political Coordinator, and I attended U.S. Representative Ted Poe’s fundraiser at Kay and Ned Holmes’ home. An RPAC contribution was mailed to his campaign office on April 27.
April 25
Rob Cook, Dovie Morgan, and your HAR Governmental Affairs Department hosted a working lunch to introduce Dr. Mary Spangler, new Chancellor of Houston Community College, to HAR’s leadership. Dr. Spangler spoke of her experiences as the new Chancellor and of her previous work experience around the country and her vision for HCCS under her leadership. Dovie Morgan was a gracious host and moderator. Judi Barr, Kenya Burrell, Henry Cheek, Margie Dorrance, Ray Holtzapple, Cameron Hill, Michael Levitin, Judy Monroe, Chaille Ralph, Mary Steele, Debi Trahan, Michael Gray, Virginia Parras, Meaghan Gallacher, Anna Kong, and I were in attendance.
April 27
I attended a luncheon with U.S. Representative Mike Conaway at Masraff’s.
May 4
HAR co-hosted a breakfast meet and greet with U. S. Representative Gene Green at the law offices of Beirne Maynard and Parsons. Ray Holtzapple, Margie Dorrance, Carlos Garcia, and I attended.
May 4
John Nichols, Federal Political Coordinator, George Stephens, Ward Arendt, and I attended a fundraising luncheon for U. S. Representative John Culberson at the home of Astrid and Gene Van Dyke.
May 8
Ray Holtzapple, Suzanne Page-Pryde, Minnette Boesel, Margie Dorrance, Meaghan Gallacher, Anna Kong, and I attended the Houston Realty Breakfast Club meeting held at the Junior League. Houston City Council Member Peter Brown and Jim Gustafson joined us the Commercial Gateway table. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett was the guest speaker.
May 8
HAR Governmental Affairs Department hosted a staff “Roll to the Polls” to early vote in the May 12 election.
May 16 and 17
Congressional visits in Washington, D. C. The Texas briefing will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 10:00-11:00 at the Wardman Park Ballroom Salon 2.
May 17
A Congressional breakfast with HAR’s six Members of Congress and HAR’s leadership is planned for 8:00 a.m. at Tortilla Coast, 400 First Street, SE in Washington, DC
Upcoming Events
May 29
“Being an Informed Consumer in the Fort Bend Housing Market” townhall meeting with U.S. Representative Nick Lampson will be held at the Sugar Land City Hall from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Fort Bend Realtors® will be invited to attend. Ed Wolff, Shad Bogany, and Jeff Lischer from NAR will be speakers, in addition to U.S. Representative Nick Lampson, a representative from the FBI and Sugar Land.
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