Texas REALTORS® Make a Difference in Austin!

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On Tuesday, March 27, more than 1,200 Texas REALTORS® stormed the Capitol in Austin to tell their legislators where REALTORS® stand on issues important to the real estate industry and private-property owners. The effects of this lobbying effort by TAR members were immediate. The very next day, two of the association’s highest priority bills, regarding mixed-use vehicle taxation, were on the move.

A continuing issue since last session, mixed-use vehicle taxation was the first of four talking points Texas REALTORS® brought up during their 181 office visits. HB 1022 by Rep. Harvey Hilderbran will exempt from ad valorem taxation a vehicle owned by an individual that is used in the course of his occupation and for personal use. The accompanying constitutional amendment, HJR 54, would amend the Texas Constitution to reflect this exemption. Both HB 1022 and HJR 54 were unanimously passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee. If HJR 54 passes out of the House and Senate, Texas voters will have the opportunity to approve the constitutional amendment during the November election.

Rep. Rob Orr and Sen. John Carona, both Texas REALTORS®, introduced resolutions in their respective chambers recognizing REALTORS® for serving their fellow Texans and protecting private-property rights. According to the resolutions, March 27, 2007, was declared REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® leadership team met with Gov. Rick Perry , Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. The ability to have open and direct communication with the state’s top lawmakers enables the Texas Association of REALTORS® to remain the strongest lobbying body in the state. Your participation in events like the Legislative Hill Visits makes all of this possible.