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5.13.08
BREAKING NEWS: HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO STOP POINT OF SALE REASSESSMENTS
On Tuesday, May 13, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 1438 and HB 1439, which would stop local taxing districts from initiating appeals of properties that recently sold. Both bills passed with widespread support by a vote of 195-3. All of the Lehigh Valley’s State Representatives voted in favor of these important bills.*
The House vote comes on the heels of a public hearing held by the Senate Finance Committee last week on the Senate versions of the legislation (SB 1247 and 1258), where LVAR’s George Raad presented testimony in support of the bills. Raad described the negative impact these assessment appeals initiated by school districts have on the real estate market and real estate consumers.
The issue of school districts appealing assessments on recently sold properties has gained significant attention and momentum due largely in part to LVAR’s aggressive lobbying efforts over the course of the last few months. LVAR has been opposing this practice since 2006. Members of LVAR’s Government Affairs Committee have been actively lobbying our State Legislative Delegation to stop schools from engaging in this practice. In the House, 10 out of 10 Lehigh Valley legislators indicated they support our position.
HB 1438 and HB 1439 now head to the Senate where LVAR will continue to monitor the issue closely and continue to garner support for this important issue.
*Representative Craig Dally (R-138) was excused from voting; however he expressed his support of these bills to LVAR during our district office visit with him in March.
5.8.08
LVAR TESTIFIES AT SENATE HEARING SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE REMEDY TO STOP POINT OF SALE REASSESSMENTS
On Wednesday, May 7 the Pennsylvania Senate Finance Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bills 1247 and 1258, which would stop local taxing districts from initiating appeals of properties that recently sold. The Lehigh Valley’s own Senator Pat Browne (R-16), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, called for the public hearing to learn more about the controversial issue.
George Raad of Harvey Z. Raad REALTORS® in Allentown presented testimony on behalf of the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR) and the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS® (LVAR). Raad described the negative impact these assessment appeals initiated by school districts have on the real estate market and real estate consumers.
Others testifying included Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, Blue Mountain School District, Berks County Commissioners, and Senator James Rhoades (R-29), the prime sponsor of SB 1247 and 1258.
LVAR has been opposing this practice since 2006. Members of LVAR’s Government Affairs Committee have been actively lobbying our State Legislative Delegation to stop schools from engaging in this practice. In the House, 10 out of 10 Lehigh Valley legislators indicated they support our position and would vote in favor of HB 1438 and HB 1439 (House companion bills to SB 1247 and 1258).
The Senate Finance Committee will consider bringing SB 1247 and 1258 up for a vote in the near future. LVAR will continue to monitor the issue closely and continue to garner support for this important issue.
Click here to read LVAR’s testimony
5.6.08
LVAR & ALLENTOWN RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
FOR HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have designated the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS® (LVAR) and the City of Allentown as a 2008 Ambassador City. NAR and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, through its Council on the New American City, launched the Ambassador for Cities program in 2003. The program encourages cities and local Realtor® associations to form partnerships to promote affordable housing and homeownership in their communities.
“Realtors® build communities and are helping solve the nation’s affordability crisis through innovative and collaborative partnerships and programs,” said NAR President Dick Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. “The Ambassador for Cities program helps us highlight these successful and effective partnerships between Realtors®, mayors and their cities while calling attention to the need to create additional housing opportunities in the communities we call home.”
LVAR and Allentown partnered to create homeownership opportunities for police officers, fire fighters and emergency services personnel through a new program call Hometown Heroes. The program provides need-based financial assistance and home buyer education to employees who purchase their principal residence within the city.
LVAR and Allentown are one of only six cities named an “Ambassador City” across the country. The designation was achieved through a highly competitive grant application process. Through the program, LVAR received a $5,000 grant to help promote the initiative.
LVAR will hold a public event later this year to outline the details of the Hometown Heroes program and highlight the success of the partnership. |