REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RPAC)
What is RPAC?
REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is a voluntary political action committee whose membership consists of REALTORS® interested in actively and effectively protecting the real estate industry and the dream of homeownership by participating in government affairs at the local, state and federal levels.
RPAC is the nation’s largest, most successful, and most bipartisan political action committee. Your voluntary investment is used to improve your bottom line in several ways: Through issues mobilization, political advocacy, and by directly supporting candidates at the local, state, and federal levels of government who champion the ideals and principles of REALTORS®. RPAC is your best investment in real estate!
We want to thank everyone who invested in 2023 and acknowledge those who were Club Members and Major Investors.
Why Should You Invest in RPAC?
The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is the best short- and long-term investment tool for influencing the growth and stability of the real estate industry. RPAC money helps support pro-real estate candidates who can fight for legislation on behalf of people like you in all areas of government – locally, statewide, and federally. When REALTORS® invest in RPAC, the industry benefits in three distinct ways:
Elected Officials:
Supporting candidates who value the impact that real estate brings to the community. Politicians are more likely to support our needs when important legislative issues arise.
Access:
RPAC contributions allow REALTORS® to have a seat at the table. While votes are not a guarantee, representatives are far more likely to listen to our industry when REALTORS® have made financial commitments to the betterment of the community. Access to lawmakers is the all-important tool for having our voice heard and seriously considered.
Credibility:
RPAC is used to hold politicians accountable for their words and actions. If a policymaker supports real estate, RPAC investments can be used to give them financial support during elections or strengthen their position on contentious issues. RPAC funds are especially important when a lawmaker doesn’t support real estate in a policy. For example, if a politician supports another initiative, RPAC money can be tactfully employed to support that and establish credibility with that person – showing that REALTORS® are unafraid to come to sensible compromise and should continue to be worked with on every issue.
Think about these issues:
Private Property Rights
Property Tax
Mortgage Insurance
Flood Insurance
Mortgage Financing
Zoning Maps
Short Term Rentals
Land Use
Water and Energy Usage
Affordable Housing
Sales Tax
Are these issues pertinent to your business?
If the answer is yes, then they alone should be reason enough to invest in RPAC. Each of these issues has come up in the past year or will be on the local, state, or federal docket in 2024.
When you invest in RPAC, you impact how real estate’s policies are regulated.
How Your Money Was Used in 2023
In 2023, the Gallatin Association of REALTORS® (GAR) used RPAC to:
- grandfather Short Term Rentals into an unfriendly policy,
- kill a restrictive parking ordinance,
- provide legal backing for contracts,
- fight for the continuance of Flood Insurance,
- kill a Public Housing Authority,
- and to build upon our comprehensive Housing Report.
2023 proved to be an altogether tough year. Across the board, many decisions at the local and state levels have negatively impacted policy.
Private property rights are now in jeopardy due to a handful of bills and ordinances passed at City, County, and State levels,
- property taxes rose,
- politicians, largely opposed to our industry were elected and appointed,
- and negotiating abilities for all REALTORS® suffered.
Make an investment or become a Major Investor HERE.
Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal or otherwise affecting your membership rights. Your contribution is split between the National RPAC and the Montana RPAC with 30% of each contribution being sent to NAR. The National RPAC portion is used to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 52 U.S.C. 30116.
What is the Realtor® Party?
The REALTOR® Party is about REALTORS® working together to VOTE, ACT and INVEST to protect the Dream of Home Ownership, to build vibrant communities, and to promote a strong U.S. economy.
Vote - REALTORS® working together to protect REALTOR® interests by voting and educating voters about issues that affect property owners.
Act - REALTORS® working together in support of policies and regulations that promote homeownership and the real estate industry.
Invest - REALTORS® working together to contribute to candidates who support REALTORS® and private property rights.