A newsletter was emailed to HAR members residing in Congressional District 22 to attend U.S. Representative Nick Lampson’s Open House on February 10.

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

The Governmental Affairs Department’s Web site has been updated.

The March 27 REALTOR® Lobby Day in Austin has been promoted in the 5 Minute REALTOR®, the Houston REALTOR® Magazine, area networking meetings, and other REALTOR® events. Online registration will be available soon. We are coordinating arrangements for lunch with TAR.

Events:

January 18
Ray Holtzapple, PAAG Chair and the Governmental Affairs staff attended the first Ft. Bend Political Affairs Advisory Leadership (PAAL) Meeting at Safari Texas in Richmond, Texas.

January 22
Rob Cook, Margie Dorrance, Carlos Bujosa, Vicki Fullerton, George Stephens, Kenneth Li, Ed Wolff, Ray Holtzapple, John Palmer from the City of Houston Housing and Community Development, and I attended the State of the City Luncheon hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership where Mayor Bill White gave his vision and goals for 2007.

January 23
A joint Governmental Affairs and Political Affairs Advisory Groups orientation was held at Houston Title located at 777 Post Oak Boulevard. 46 members of the GAAG and PAAG attended, along with HAR Chair Rob Cook, TREPAC Chair Vicki Fullerton, and Immediate Past Chair Lorraine Abercrombie. Ray Holtzapple, PAAG Chair, and Ed Wolff, GAAG Chair, reviewed their 2007 goals with the collective groups.

January 24
Karen Driscoll and I attended the first Bay Area PAAL meeting at the Bay Area Branch. Bay Area PAAL Chair Debi Trahan had to cancel and Rhonda Flowers conducted the meeting. Karen and I gave a legislative, political, and TREPAC update.

January 25
Ed Wolff, Ray Holtzapple, Karen Driscoll, and I attended the first Montgomery County PAAL Meeting, Chaired by Dave Roedel, at the Montgomery County branch location.

January 30
Attended Houston City Council Member Adrian Garcia’s Graffiti Ordinance meeting at City Hall. Look for an update on the Graffiti Ordinance in the March Houston Realtor Magazine.

February 1
Houston City Council Members and candidates can begin to accept political contributions.

February 1
In appreciation of their service on TREPAC, former TREPAC Trustees and/or Chairs Marilyn Burt, Janice Jamail-Garvis, Becky Hill, Sandra Hoffpauir, Mary Keen, Judy Monroe, and Carolyn Rogers were Karen Driscoll’s and my guests at the annual League of Women Voters “A Repast with a Pair of Political Pioneers” luncheon honoring former Houston City Council Member Eleanor Tinsley and political fundraiser Frances Leff held at the Westin Oaks Hotel.

February 7
Your HAR Governmental Affairs Department sponsored lunch for the GRI class held at the Montgomery County branch location. It was an opportunity to introduce the Governmental Affairs staff, TREPAC, and REALTOR® Lobby Day in Austin.

February 8
Meaghan Gallacher joins the Governmental Affairs staff as Governmental Affairs Administrative Coordinator.

Upcoming Events

February 10
Congressman Nick Lampson is hosting an open house at his district headquarters, 10701 Corporate Drive, Suite 118, in Stafford from 10:00-3:00. HAR members are invited to attend.

February 12
The Affordable Housing Task Force, Chaired by Michael Levitin and Shad Bogany, is meeting with the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department at 2:00 p.m. to plan our February 22 “Realtor Education Forum on the City of Houston’s Homebuyers Assistance Program”. The meeting will be held in the Board Room following the Directors meeting. Board Members are welcome to attend!

February 13
Ed Wolff, Governmental Affairs Advisory Group Chair, is working with volunteers serving on the GAAG and PAAG to develop the 2007 Houston City Council candidate questionnaire. A meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

February 14
The Bay Area Political Affairs Advisory Leadership will receive a legislative and TREPAC update from Karen Driscoll and me at 11:00 a.m. at the Bay Area Branch location.

February 14
Your Governmental Affairs Department will host the February birthday celebration for staff at 2:30.

February 15
Nancy Furst extended an invitation to attend the BACREN luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club. BACREN will present a $1,000 TREPAC contribution!!! Vicki Fullerton, Chaille Ralph, Bob Hale, Karen Driscoll, and I plan to attend.

February 22
HAR’s “Realtor Education Forum on the City of Houston’s Homebuyers Assistance Program” will be held at the Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center, 4014 Market Street, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Complimentary boxed lunches and beverages will be provided by Bank of America, the program sponsor. Board Members are welcome to attend! For reservations, please contact me.

Feb. 25-27
Karen Driscoll and I will attend TAR’s Winter meeting in Austin.

March 6
The Political Affairs Advisory Group, Chaired by Ray Holtzapple, will be conducting candidate Interviews for Houston City Council At-Large Position 3.

March 27
REALTOR® Lobby Day in Austin. A $99 TREPAC investment will be asked of members who participate in this biennial bus trip. Arrangements for lunch are in the works and will be finalized soon.

May 12
Special Election for Houston City Council At-Large Position 3

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

November 6
Houston City Council and Mayoral Election