You need CORPAC and CORPAC needs You!
Protecting the American Dream
The mission statement for the 2006 CORPAC Committee is: "CORPAC 2006 and Beyond -- Continuing to Protect the American Dream". We as REALTORS® in Central Ohio have been enjoying a favorable climate in which to do business for many years. We have been fortunate to have CBR's Larry Metzger, Stan Collins and our CORPAC Governing Board, along with the OAR and NAR staffs, working diligently behind the scenes to monitor governmental issues and legislation that would negatively impact our business before they become major problems. Many of us have taken this for granted for too long! It is time to step up to the plate. Good Government is not without cost!
For the past several years, Governor Taft, along with other Legislators, have made numerous proposals that would negatively impact our Industry, all in an effort to solve Ohio's financial deficits on the backs of REALTORS® and property owners. These proposals have served as a wake up call, banding REALTORS® and Affiliates alike, in a common cause for maintaining good and fair government. We all know that good government is not without cost. Only continued vigilance will protect our industry. Where do we get the money?
Unlike labor unions and other trade associations, our lobbying costs cannot just come from our membership dues! That would be too easy! CORPAC, as an off shoot of RPAC, was founded 12 years ago to provide a vehicle for raising funds to support our industry beliefs and to protect the property rights of all individuals, locally, on a state-wide basis, and nationally. Sixty-seven percent of the funds raised are distributed at the state and national level. The remaining 33% is used locally to support those issues and candidates that are considered real estate friendly. | | |
Why do we need to support CORPAC
We continue to monitor legislation regarding the state-wide licensing of home inspectors, Ohio's school funding issues, and the proposed state wide transfer fee and the CAT tax.
Locally, CBR and CORPAC have supported local school issues, well-planned growth initiatives, and the safety of our roads and bridges. We have opposed local growth moratoriums (as in Pickerington), the Columbus city tax on capital gains, and overly restrictive sign ordinances. We continue to monitor local watershed protection overlays as well.
The CBR's support of the increase in Franklin County's transfer fee was only after intense lobbying that resulted in the additional money raised to be earmarked for Affordable Housing.
CORPAC HAS ITS BENEFITS!
Last year CBR members saw first hand the benefits of CORPAC and how we were instrumental in defeating issue 2 through 5 which would have taken away, at minimum, our ability to raise funds in the manner we are used to in order to support the BI-PARTISAN candidates that support our industry and property owner rights. Over the years, we have been leaders in our great state of Ohio in legislative participation and with your support will continue to be leaders in local board fundraising in Ohio. The Cleveland and Cincinnati boards have been watching us and learning from us and are now looking to over take us -- are we going to let this happen? We think not! Last year our goal was to increase membership participation and to raise $131,412! This amount would bring the total CORPAC fundraising, since 1994, to a whopping ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Well, last year the CORPAC committee, under the fine direction of Sandy Campbell, Jay Zollars and Kim McCutchen smashed this number into a well deserved $140,080 -- a new CORPAC record. This was not an act but it will be hard to follow. This year our goal for 2006 -- a cool $150,000. Guess how we get there? One dollar at a time!!!
As you can imagine, we will need the help of the entire membership to achieve this goal! Our CORPAC Auction will be Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in downtown Columbus. This is a great event with two silent auctions, a live auction, great food, cash bars and an awesome time for all! Don't miss it!
Here's how you can help!
1. Donate an item for the auction!
2. Buy a ticket or reserve a table!
3. BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK!
We have some great Auction items but we still need YOU to insure a good time! Buy your CORPAC Auction ticket online (ColumbusRealtors.com) or complete and return the ticket reservation form inserted in this magazine.
Upcoming CORPAC Events (after the auction)
n CORPAC Million Dollar shoot out -- all summer long!
n CORPAC Golf Outing -- Fox Fire -- Sept 7, 2006
n CORPAC Auction Online! -- look for updates on Tempo . . .
Thank you Nancy Sharp -- you are the best! We will see you all on May 24, 2006.
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