Sitting Councilmember Michael A. Brown is NOT Running Against Phil Mendelson!
Name confusion between sitting Councilmember Michael A. Brown (Independent-At Large) and Shadow Senator Michael D. Brown has turned out to be a serious problem for Councilmember Phil Mendelson (Democrat-At Large) in his Democratic Primary Election. Twelve-year Councilmember and WDCAR-endorsed candidate Phil Mendelson is unexpectedly falling behind Michael D. Brown.
Michael D. Brown is Washington, DC's Shadow Senator and president of the political direct-mail firm Horizon Communications, which he founded. Since he is listed on the ballot as "Michael Brown," he can easily be confused with Councilmember Michael A. Brown, who was just elected in 2008. You can click on their names above to see the difference.
The Washington Post highlighted the confusion in a recent article. As did a recent Fox Five Report on the issue.
WDCAR-endorsed candidate Phil Mendelson needs the help of REALTORS®! Please spread the message to your friends, family and anyone else you know is voting. Don't allow coincidental name sharing to shape the outcome of this very important race. Vote for our WDCAR-endorsed and REALTOR® Party friend Phil Mendelson!
For more information on all the WDCAR-endorsed candidates in the September 14 Democratic Primary, click here.
Don't forget to GET OUT and VOTE EARLY!
Early Voting Available for District Residents
Beginning on August 30, Washington, DC voters can now vote early in the September 14 primaries. Registered voters can head to the Board of Elections and Ethics’ headquarters to cast their vote on new touch screen machines. Four other locations with flexible hours will also offer early voting starting on September 4. Read details on times and locations. If you prefer to vote on Election Day instead of voting early,don’t forget to VOTE for REALTOR® party candidates on September 14. Visit the DC Board of Elections website to locate your polling location. Polls will be open September 14, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. as always.
If you are interested in volunteering or contributing to any of these candidates between now and Primary Election Day, September 14, please contact Ed Krauze, Vice-President of Public Policy at 301-590-8792 or by e-mail.
Learn About WDCAR-Endorsed Candidates
The WDCAR RPAC Trustees are an independent decision-making entity appointed by the Board of Directors. They review and potentially endorse District candidates who are best suited to support REALTOR® interests with our RPAC funds. After careful review, WDCAR RPAC Trustees selected the following candidates for endorsements:
- Vincent Gray for Mayor
- Kwame Brown for Council Chair
- David Catania for At-Large Councilmember (Independent)
- Phil Mendelson for At-Large Councilmember
- Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. for Ward 5 Councilmember
- Tommy Wells for Ward 6 Councilmember
Read some of the REALTOR® specific things you should know about our REALTOR® party candidates running in the September 14 Democratic primary.
District Budget Debate
Vacant Property
GCAAR WINS REGISTRATION FEE EXEMPTIONS for Sale, Rent, and Development
A New $5 Vacant Property Tax Class Created
The Mayor’s proposed graduated fee system for vacant property with no exemptions was amended.
Under the new proposal by Muriel Bowser and Jack Evans, a property owner would still be required to register their vacant building, but would allow for a number of exemptions from the vacant property registration fee of $250.
The exemptions, among others, include: a one-year exemption if you are actively listing a property for sale or for rent (two years for commercial properties); property undergoing active construction or undergoing active rehabilitation, renovation, or repair; property subject to pending application for a necessary approval for development before the various DC Boards and agencies; property subject to probate proceedings.
However, if the property does not qualify for an exemption, the property will have to pay the $250 registration fee AND be subject to a newly created – VACANT PROPERTY TAX RATE of $5/$100 of assessed value.
This proposal will create 4 property tax class rates in the District:
Class 1 Residential $0.85 per $100 of assessed value (currently)
Class 2 Commercial $1.85 per $100 of assessed value (currently)
Class 3 VACANT $5.00 per $100 of assessed value (PROPOSED for this October 1, 2010)
Class 4 Blighted $10.00 per $100 of assessed value (currently)
Over $2.5 million dollars will be generated from this new VACANT PROPERTY RATE. Unfortunately, this money will fund other programs not related to improving nuisance or blighted properties.
Your association relentlessly advocated that District should focus on blighted properties and code violations, which are the real causes of damage to communities. Besides the many phone calls and emails in response to the Calls to Action, numerous members from all parts of the District testified before four different council committees and still more members attended office meetings with Councilmembers and the Council Chairman.
Real Estate Guarantee Fund
Letters were sent to each of the Council Members opposing the taking of more Real Estate Guarantee Fund income in the Mayor’s proposed budgets for fiscal year 2010 and 2011. Councilmember Muriel Bowser mentioned the taking of Real Estate Guarantee Fund in her Committee Report. However, given all of the other budget decisions no Councilmembers stepped up to find money for this fund.
As soon as the Mayor’s budget was first proposed, our attorneys filed a motion to further comment on our legal position using this year’s proposed budget to illustrate the District’s pattern of raiding this fund appears to be on-going. The next court date is scheduled for September.
Potential Taxes and “Revenue Enhancements” on the Horizon
GCAAR is already scanning the horizon in anticipation of the next budget battle. Many “revenue enhancement” (read-tax) ideas were floated during the budget debate. One of the ideas floated around was a proposed millionaire’s tax, with Councilmember Barry suggesting raising taxes on individuals with incomes of $100,000. Another one was sales taxes on services such as dog groomers and gym memberships. Even though we have not heard proposals on sales taxes on real estate services, we are keeping a very close eye on the matter.
Budget Support Act and Budget Request Act Legislation
The DC Council has recently passed the upcoming Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Act and the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request Act. Some areas of particular interest to REALTORS® in the District are Title II, Subtitle D. Vacant Property; Title II, Subtitles M. Regulation of Title Insurance Companies and Title II, Subtitle V. Unified Economic Development Budget Transparently Act. Read the full texts below.
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20100621113930.pdf
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20100621114553.pdf
DC Real Estate Guaranty Fund - June 1, 2009
(Member Access Only - You must be logged in to view)
- GCAAR supports housing policies that help to place home ownership within reach of all who desire it.
- GCAAR opposes any efforts to place a tax on commissions or expand the sales tax to real estate related functions.
- GCAAR opposes all efforts to increase transfer and recordation taxes as a means to increase general county or city revenues, and support the elimination of taxes on the transfer of property.
- GCAAR opposes impact fees and other “nuisance” taxes, which discourage the development of new homes and businesses.
- GCAAR supports a concerted effort to reduce barriers to home ownership by seeking a reduction in closing costs.
- GCAAR believes that the sign ordinance enacted by Montgomery County in 1997 should be repealed because it obstructs the rights of property owners, hinders free speech, imposes unnecessary costs, and serves no legitimate public policy purpose.
- GCAAR supports construction of the Master Plan or “G” Alignment of the Inter-County Connector and other reasonable alternatives to move people “East-West” efficiently across Montgomery County.
- GCAAR supports the renewal of the DC first-time homebuyer federal tax credit and strongly advocates making the credit permanent.
- GCAAR believes that people have a right to live wherever they can afford to live, and REALTORS® have an obligation to protect that right by complying with all fair housing laws. There is no room in our profession for housing discrimination.
- GCAAR opposes rent control and related government regulations in both Montgomery County and the District of Columbia.
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