REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RPAC)
The REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC).
RPAC is the non-partisan, issues focused tool to preserve and promote the real estate industry. Neither conservative nor liberal, independent nor libertarian, this is the purple party. At all three levels of government, the mission is clear: to identify and support elected officials and candidates who champion the real estate industry in policy. RPAC investment is the single best tool that REALTORS have at their disposal to advocate for policy that benefits the community and industry. The diversity, savvy, and practicality of REALTORS brings solutions to problems, which in turn is facilitated both financially and vocally by RPAC.
To invest in RPAC and support pro-real estate issues click here.
Why invest in RPAC?
RPAC is an exceptionally powerful political tool. It is not only the financial backing of your real estate needs, but also the vocal empowerment to implement policy and politicians. Every policy issue that surfaces in government can be tied to real estate. Politics and real estate go hand-in-hand. When REALTORS have a say in the outcome of policy, the community benefits – be it through careful and thoughtful implementation of zoning codes, creation of attainable housing projects, effective land use principles, protection of private property rights, and access to homeownership. Most of all, investing in RPAC secures your current and future business. RPAC gives REALTORS access to elected officials, credibility across the board, and benefits the community.
How 2024 Investment will be used.
The Gallatin Association of REALTORS® is leveraging RPAC funds to support REALTORS® this year. GAR is using funds to facilitate formal conversations between legislators and members at a luncheon to find common ground and practical solutions to the problems that affect our area.
Importantly, we plan to use investments to establish a polling program that will account for both the REALTOR and community perspectives on hot-button real estate issues. These statistically relevant data sets will be provided to policymakers so that informed decisions can be made.
Investments in RPAC will continue to benefit REALTORS as we earn our seat at the political table. GAR plans to support politicians’ that champion real estate by investing RPAC funds in their respective campaigns.
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.