PSAR Government Affairs

Recent Posts

CAR RED ALERT: Attack ON Prop 13

Posted by PSAR Government Affairs on Aug 28, 2023 10:56:05 AM

Red Alert

C.A.R. strongly opposes ACA 13, a proposed state constitutional amendment. This proposal aims to make it harder for California voters to bring about changes through initiatives by increasing the percentage of votes needed to pass state and local measures. C.A.R. is against ACA 13 because it would weaken Proposition 13, potentially leading to higher taxes on homeowners and restricting their ability to prevent tax increases.

C.A.R. has issued a Red Alert, urging all California REALTORS® to contact their Assemblymembers and ask them to vote against ACA 13.

Look for the email sent to you from realtorparty@car.org with the subject line "RED ALERT: Protect Prop 13 and Voter Rights."  If you don't see it, please check your spam.

Currently, voter initiatives and constitutional amendments (except for certain taxes) require a simple majority to pass. ACA 13 seeks to change this by requiring any measure attempting to increase the vote percentage for passing local or state ballot measures to meet the same increased percentage requirement. This would impact citizen-led initiatives and not measures referred by the Legislature, creating an uneven playing field.

C.A.R. opposes ACA 13 because:

  1. It could raise the cost of buying and owning homes by weakening Proposition 13 protections. ACA 13 wants to undo safeguards set by Proposition 13, which set a 2/3 vote requirement for local governments to raise various homeowner taxes. Passing ACA 13 would make it tougher for homeowners to defend against unjust taxes.

  2. It would diminish the power of California's voters. Changing rules solely to avoid certain outcomes goes against the principles of fairness.

  3. ACA 13 would exacerbate difficulties for working families to afford homes. A recent report showed that California's housing affordability hit a 16-year low. Higher property taxes could intensify challenges for first-time buyers, hindering their transition from renting to owning. This is crucial for narrowing the state's wealth gap and aiding the diverse population in achieving homeownership and building savings.

 

PLEASE HELP DEFEAT ACA 13 – CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TODAY

Look for C.A.R.’s Red Alert email from realtorparty@car.org

With a subject line that says:
“RED ALERT: Protect Prop 13 and Voter Rights”

Topics: Government Affairs

PSAR Endorses Janessa Goldbeck in the Special Primary Election for County Supervisor for District 4

Posted by PSAR Government Affairs on Jul 19, 2023 11:48:27 AM

Starting this week, active registered voters in the Fourth Supervisorial District are receiving a ballot in the mail to vote in the special primary election to fill the vacant seat on the County Board of Supervisors.  PSAR received requests to review the candidates in the race to fill this seat, so the Government Affairs Committee interviewed each of the candidates about issues that impact REALTORS® and their businesses.   

PSAR extends its thanks to each of the candidates for taking the time to discuss our issues with the committee.  Janessa Goldbeck demonstrated an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the issues facing our industry, as well as a pathway to addressing those issues.  For these reasons, PSAR's Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors voted to endorse Janessa Goldbeck for County Supervisor for District 4. Committee members lauded her thoughtful pro real estate responses: “We found Janessa to be current on rental issues, affordable housing shortages and homelessness. She expressed not only concern, but offered ideas addressing these issues, which are at the forefront of our industry's priorities.”  

PSAR is a non-partisan organization. PSAR Members and their clients run the gamut of the political spectrum. As REALTORS®, we unite to protect private property rights and promote homeownership. Our committee and leadership are driven by these goals.  

Click here for additional information on the special primary election.

Comment now! Point of Sale Mandate Included in County Recommendations

Posted by PSAR Government Affairs on Jan 31, 2023 9:24:12 AM

No on Point of Sale

 

San Diego County staff recommends home energy audits during the home sales process.

This strategy is part of a  "Draft Playbook"  released by County staff.  The Playbook is described as a "menu of actions" that is intended as a resource for local governments who seek to take action on decarbonization.

PSAR opposes point-of-sale mandates.  Point of Sale mandates hurt buyers and sellers. They make homes more expensive to buy and since they target such a small number of homes, they do very little to address carbon reduction.

The County is accepting feedback on the Draft Playbook until Thursday, February 2.  Please leave a comment now explaining why point-of-sale or "time-of-sale" mandates are a bad idea.  It is most important to demonstrate how these mandates will impact your clients. 

To add a comment, click on the box below to open the County document, scroll to the section of the document you would like to comment on, and click the section.  A popup window will appear to allow you to leave a comment. 

You will find that point-o-sale mandates are described in the "Requirement" section of items 4.4.1 and item 5.5.1. Time-of-sale is also referred to in section 5.5.4.2.  Click on each of those sections and leave a comment.

For a list of reasons why point-of-sale mandates are a bad idea, you are welcome to refer to the letter from PSAR President Jason Lopez to the County, CLICK HERE to see the letter. You are encouraged to share those ideas in your comments. 

For questions or concerns, please email gad@psar.org

Click Here to Comment

 

Topics: Brokers/Managers, Government Affairs

PSAR Voter Guide - Candidates for the 2022 General Election

Posted by PSAR Government Affairs on Nov 4, 2022 11:37:21 AM

Candidates for the 2022 General Election who are Pro Real Estate

Don't forget to vote by November 8th!
 
PSAR is a non-partisan organization. PSAR Members, and their clients, run the gamut of the political spectrum. As REALTORS® we unite to protect private property rights and promote homeownership. 

PSAR received requests to endorse in the races listed below. After vetting the positions of all of the candidates willing to submit answers to our questionnaire on issues that impact real estate, the committee determined that the following candidates are poised to protect private property rights and promote homeownership if elected:
 
 
 Nov 2022 both rows no spell check
 
 
 __________________________

PSAR's Mission is to empower Real Estate Professionals.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Topics: Announcements, Government Affairs

Please Vote on (or before) June 7th

Posted by PSAR Government Affairs on May 19, 2022 3:30:00 PM

Please remember to vote on (or before) June 7th.  All California active registered voters received a vote-by-mail ballot.  For more information on your voting options, Click Here.  

Candidate Guide

PSAR is a non-partisan organization.  PSAR Members, and the clients they serve, run the gamut of the political spectrum.  However, they are united in their mission to protect private property rights and promote homeownership.  That mission is core to PSAR's Government Affairs Committee.    

The Government Affairs Committee received requests to provide recommendations on the candidates running in the races listed below.  After vetting the positions of the candidates on issues that impact private property rights and homeownership, the committee determined that, among likely candidates, the following candidates are most inclined to promote private property rights and homeownership if elected to the offices they seek:

 
 

County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk,(For General Election in November) 

Jordan Marks-1
   Jordan Marks 

80th Assembly District:

David Alvarez

David Alvarez
38th Senate District:

Brian Jones-1

Brian Jones

Chula Vista Mayor:

John McCann-1

 John McCann 

Chula Vista Mayor:

Jill Galvez
Jill Galvez 

Chula Vista Mayor:

Rudy Ramirez

Rudy Ramirez


Chula Vista City Attorney:

John Moot

John Moot


Chula Vista City Council District 1:

Robert Cromer

Robert Cromer

 

Once again, please remember to vote!

Topics: Announcements, Government Affairs