The Governmental Affairs Department has several irons in the fire on the local, state, and
national fronts.
Housing and Community Development - Representatives of HAR had the opportunity to meet with the new Director of Housing and
Community Development, Milton Wilson, Jr. The joint HAR/GHBA/HOH meeting was held January 27 at the HCD offices. The meeting served
to establish a dialogue to resolve issues created by the recent suspension of HUD funding for downpayment assistance. HAR Directors
attending the meeting were Shad Bogany, who called this matter to the Board's attention at the January 17 meeting, Michael Levitin,
and Carlos Bujosa. Other Realtors invited to participate in the discussion were Stanwyn Carter and Gerald Womack. Congresswoman
Sheila Jackson Lee has also offered her assistance to address our concerns. Click here for the follow-up letter to Director Wilson:
http://www.har.com/govt/localissues.htm
New Member Orientation - Houston City Council Members have been invited to speak briefly about the importance of HAR members
involvement in the legislative process during New Member Orientation. The following is the schedule so far: Ronald Green, March 2;
Toni Lawrence, April 5; M. J. Khan, April 13, and Carol Alvarado, April 25. The schedule will be updated as more Council Members
express their desire to participate in this new program.
NAR issued a Call for Action on S. 5, the Class Action Fairness Act, when the bill came before the Senate the week of February 7.
The U.S. Senate will consider overdue tort reform legislation-legislation that REALTORS have long wanted. The bi-partisan
legislation would create uniform rules for where class-action lawsuits could be filed and move many class-action lawsuits from state
courts to federal courts, where more stringent rules would govern the cases. This legislation recently passed the Senate Judiciary
committee by a large margin and is on a very fast track for final Senate consideration.
Important Dates
Feb. 21 - At the state level, members serving on contact teams for state and federal elected officials are encouraged to participate
in TAR's coordinators training on Monday, Feb. 21, from 10:00-12:00 or from 2:15-4:15 at the Hyatt Regency on Town Lake in Austin.
March 8 - Volunteers serving on the Governmental Affairs Advisory Group and the Political Affairs Advisory Group are invited to
attend an orientation meeting from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the HAR Board Room. The orientation will be conducted by GAAG Chairman Ed Wolff
and PAAG Chairman Minnette Boesel.
April 12 - Realtor Day at the State Capitol! Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with your state legislators one-on-one. Stay
tuned for more to come on this exciting day of legislative visits. Something new -- Lunch will be served on the Capitol grounds.
Find out where the association stands on issues important to REALTORS® and private-property owners by visiting the Governmental
Affairs Section of TAR's Web site: www.texasrealtors.com.
May 11 and 12 - Congressional visits in Washington, D. C.
May 30 - Last Day of the 79th Texas Legislature.
TREPAC Upcoming Events
Join HAR for a variety of fun events benefiting TREPAC... March 3 & 4 - Canton Bus Tripleaving from the Pasadena area, a bus will take us on an exploration of the Canton First flea
market.
March 9 -Easter Basket Auctionat the Greater Northwest Area Networking Breakfast.
March 10 - Bay Area St. Patrick's Day Talent Show at the South Shore Harbour Resort from
3 - 6 p.m.
March 17 - Fort Bend Denim & Diamonds After Work Event at Sweetwater Country Club from
5:30 - 8 p.m. The purchase of one champagne glass enters you into a drawing for 1k in diamond jewelry.
April 8 - Katy Crawfish & Craps night. 7 to 11 p.m. at Seven Meadows. Join us for a live
band, good food, a casino night and crawfish races.
April 12 - Austin Hill Visits - Join us for REALTOR Day at the Capitol. Buses will depart at approximately
6 a.m. from four different locations across the Houston Area.
May 11-12 - Congressional Hill Visits in Washington, D.C.
May 23 -A Day at Carlton Woods - Join HAR's Montgomery County Branch for a progressive
luncheon, home tour, golf tournament and dinner at the luxurious club at Carlton Woods. You'll also have the opportunity to learn
about their new private Fazio golf course opening in the Fall of 2005.
June 9 - Greater Northwest Bowl-a-thon at AMF Willow Lanes. Lanes will open for practice at 12 noon.
June 16 - TREPAC & Commercial Gateway Intown Golf Tournament at Redstone Golf Course, home of the Shell
Houston Open. Shotgun start will be at 1:30 p.m.
For further information on any of the above events, contact HAR's TREPAC Coordinator, Karen Driscoll for further details at
713/629-1900 ext. 271 or karen@har.com.
