newsobserver.com projects - N.C. Association of Realtors - Comments

Re: 2007: Banner year for state lobbying

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:19:46 -0400

It's based on the official reports filed by lobbyists with the Secretary of State. As I've noted in the past, those reports don't include payments made for non-lobbying — the so-called "consulting loophole."

That said, the Democracy N.C. report is a fair reflection of what the lobbyists themselves reported.

— RTB

Re: 2007: Banner year for state lobbying

PoliticalJunkie — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:14:25 -0400

I haven't seen anything regarding the methodology of this study and an analysis of the validity of the methodology. Can anyone help?

Better firm

cornbread — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:53:48 -0500

Cherie Berry and Steve Troxler should be the ones starting a new GOP consulting firm. They're the only successful Republicans in this state.

Re: New GOP consulting firm starting up

rgc_cary — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:42:56 -0500

What happens to Cansler Fuquay Solutions now that Lanier Cansler has left to become the Secretary at DHHS?

Re: New GOP consulting firm starting up

Gosh — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:08:13 -0500

Republicans in West Palm Beach, Raleigh and DC are thrilled.

Both of them.

Re: Realtors complaint

adrianwells — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:38:25 -0400

Becky,
I too am concerned with an organization that realtors are required to join if they want the benefits of calling themselves a "Realtor", only to find that the organization is going to assess you for political reasons. It burns me up to think that legislators have to be lobbied by professional lobbyist in order for people to be heard. To me, a lobbyist is just a middleman to offer legislators bribes, as in our group will vote for you if you will do so and so, I'm sick of politicians not listening to their constituents unless the liason is paid to speak to them.........we vote, they should listen without a lobbyist but back to the NCAR.......they should not assess anyone for political reasons, their job is to function as the professional branch for licensees who want to become better at the job.
I think everyone can speak for themselves, there's already RPAC, if there's not enough money in RPAC coffers, too bad, forget it. Sooner or later sellers and buyers will learn that realtors are here to help them and that government affects their wallets as well as realtors.

Re: Realtors complaint

pyeager — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:44:08 -0400

The MLS is the only place to find out about homes for sale?

These people have apparently not heard of realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, or other sites where one can find out about homes for sale.

What's missing from the other sites is an understood offer of compensation. That is inconvenient, but not an unsurmountable obstacle.

Re: Realtors complaint

FFC1304 — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:04:32 -0400

While we're complaining...EVERY NC Real Estate Broker should be embarrassed that our state HQ building sports the name of one of the MOST CORRUPT NC democrackkks, TONY RAND, D-Cumberland from Fayetteville.

EVERY NC Broker should complain to the NCREC directors to REMOVE it from our state HQ on Navajo Dr immediately.

Re: Realtor complains to elections board

aperrin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:17:29 -0400

It already does:

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/487/735.html
http://laws.findlaw.com/us/431/209.html
http://laws.findlaw.com/us/475/292.html
http://laws.findlaw.com/us/500/507.html

The upshot: unions may not compel members to participate (including financially) in political activity they disagree with. Workers are allowed to partake in the collective bargaining function of unions without being required to endorse the political practice.

Re: Realtor complains to elections board

FFC1304 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:16:50 -0400

Thanks Ms. Harper for addressing this in this manner.

How can we get all the NC Real Estate Brokers to DEMAND the name of Tony Rand OFF the NCREC bldg on Navajo Drive? He is an INSULT to all NC real estate brokers with his recent manipulation of the annexation bill.
All real estate licensees should contact the NCREC 'leadership' to demand this action NOW! Send them an email!

Re: Realtor complains to elections board

Senate — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:32:34 -0400

Would the same thing apply to unions?

Re: Transfer tax fight goes local

darveed — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:16:31 -0400

Certainly spending taxpayer money to attempt to grab more taxpayer money (power) would of course be wrong. This is a more nuanced approach, but I am surprised that the focus has been on the Realtor lobby when the groups in favor of a transfer tax have spent more combined than the realtors.
As a Wake resident with no realtor allegeance, I am not fazed by the arguments that our property taxes will not continue to go up regardless of what happens with the transfer tax. As with forced annexation by the city, there is no expectation of greater benefits that accompany greater cost to those being annexed.
This is a bad bill that will disproportionately affect those that live in low-income (read:low-appreciation) areas, who have amortization only to rely on. It will not matter much to those in $400k and up houses whose homes have appreciated $60k in five years.
This is a bad bill that will only give more control and power to those in power.

Re: Transfer tax fight goes local

gercohen — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:53:14 -0400

There are actually 17 counties voting on a transfer tax this fall, Washington County is using a 1989 local act to vote on a 1% transfer tax

Re: Questioning the polling questions

jfg5025 — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:09:50 -0400

I think Brad's explanation is legitimate. But I also wouldn't be too bothered by the results because in the question directly preceding it, 12d, the public says they are in favor of new taxes for road maintenance and construction.

I'm not surprised by that at all. In all the polling we've done at Public Policy Polling I can tell you that people don't like taxes. And they won't support new taxes in a poll question-- unless you give them context for the taxes. They are willing to support higher taxes and fees if they pay for schools, roads, health care, etc.

Justin

Re: Against the odds

patanthony — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:56:39 -0400

Isn't that Grover Norquist's taxes-are-evil, let-the-rich-keep-their-money group? Interesting use of the term "grassroots."