Communication:

For the TREPAC contribution presentation, a personalized newsletter was created and emailed to the approximately 700 HAR members in House District 29 to remind them to early vote Dec. 11-15 or on Election Day, Dec. 19 for HAR’s recommended candidate, Mike O’Day. In addition, HAR’s Governmental Affairs staff attended the TREPAC contribution presentation in Pearland.

The Governmental Affairs departmental website is in the process of being updated.

Governmental Affairs Advisory Group:

We thank Governmental Affairs Advisory Group Chair Minnette Boesel for her leadership this year. She has been an amazing ambassador for HAR. She is excellent at building relationships with our elected officials and explaining HAR’s position on issues. An ongoing issue which the group has addressed is the Graffiti Ordinance which is now in effect. We look forward to working with Ed Wolff, 2007 Governmental Affairs Advisory Group Chair.

Political Affairs Advisory Group:

The Political Affairs Advisory Group chaired by John Nichols and Bay Area Political Affairs Advisory Leadership chaired by Nancy Furst met Monday, December 4, at the Bay Area Branch Office and interviewed the four candidates who are running to fill the seat left vacant by the death of State Rep. Glenda Dawson in September. HAR Director John Nugent participated in the interviews as did TREPAC Trustee Billy Burt and 2007 PAAG Chair Ray Holtzapple. The candidates vying to represent House District 29 are Republicans John Gorman (no website available), Mike O’Day, Randy Weber, and Dr. Anthony DiNovo who ran in the November 7 election and lost to Rep. Dawson who received 60% of the vote to his 40%. Governor Perry called the Special Election for December 19, 2006, and Early Voting is December 11-15.

A majority of the Board of Directors approved the recommendation of Mike O’Day for State Representative, District 29, on December 7, 2006.

We thank 2006 PAAG Chair John Nichols for his honorable and selfless service to HAR’s political process. John has devoted countless hours to conduct candidate interviews and participate in Get-Out-The-REALTOR®-Vote efforts that reflect favorably upon HAR. His leadership and political courage are excellent examples for us to follow. We look forward to working with 2007 PAAG Chair Ray Holtzapple as we plan for Houston City Council and other elections next year.

Events:

December 11
HAR’s Governmental Affairs Department hosted our almost annual celebration in appreciation of our most generous TREPAC investors and elected officials. This end-of-the-year celebration took place at our penthouse located at 21 Briar Hollow Lane from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Invitations were mailed to elected officials, HAR Board of Directors, Sterling R and up TREPAC investors, the Governmental Affairs and Political Affairs Advisory Groups, HAR Staff Directors, and distinguished volunteers and members of the REALTOR® community. Over 150 guests attended including U.S. Representatives Ted Poe and Al Green; U.S. Representative-elect Nick Lampson; State Representatives Hubert Vo, Martha Wong, Larry Taylor, Dwayne Bohac, and Rick Noriega; Houston City Council Members Addie Wiseman, Peter Brown, Toni Lawrence, and Pam Holm; and Houston Controller Annise Parker.

December 18
HAR’s Governmental Affairs Department will host a meeting at 2:00 p.m. in the Media Room with John Palmer with the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department, Michael Levitin, and Shad Bogany to discuss the City of Houston’s Homebuyer’s Assistance Program and educating Realtors about the program.

Tuesday, March 27
Mark your calendars now for Realtor Lobby Day at the State Capitol Tuesday, March 27. We’ll see you there!

We say “Thank You!”
Your Governmental Affairs Department staff, Karen Driscoll, Anna Kong, and I, thank you so much for your participation in HAR’s political process and for the support you have given us this year. It has been a pleasure to work with Lorraine and her leadership team which is “simply the best”. We look forward to working with Rob and the terrific team he has assembled to make your participation in HAR’s political process a positive “experience”. Happy Holidays and best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!