NC Realtors Play Hardball With State Budget

From Chris Fitzsimon, NC Policy Watch: http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/?p=9183

A funny thing happened on the way to an agreement between House and Senate leaders on taxes and ending the county share of Medicaid. Senate Democrats appear to have bowed to major campaign contributors and their well-connected lobbyists and rejected the latest offer from the House because it allowed counties to raise the real estate transfer fee if the public approves it in a referendum.

Lobbyists for realtors and homebuilders have been working feverishly against any transfer tax. Apparently Senate leaders now agree with them that people should not have the right to vote on how their county builds schools or addresses other infrastructure needs.

There’s another part of the story. . Reportedly, the Realtors Association has threatened to oppose any Senator in a swing district who supports a transfer tax of any kind. That could be with money from the wealthy realtors PAC going to the Senator’s opponent. It might mean issue ads along the lines of the commercials the realtors are now running to protect their billions in profits.

It also means that one interest group with deep pockets is controlling the Senate of North Carolina and has now delayed a final agreement on the state budget. That’s what billions can do for you in the current political climate.

NC Realtors Spend $494,866 Lobbying

The NC Association of Realtors has reported new spending of $128,771.20 for lobbying expenses in the month of May, bringing lobbying spending for 2007 to $494,886.36 not including other spending through the NC Realtors PAC or the 527 committee which will be submitting semi-annual reports for 2007 in July.

What Would Angie Drive?

The NC Realtors campaign against local funding options features an alleged average homeowner "Angie" driving a red pick up truck. In real life "Angie" has been spotted in west Raleigh tooling around in a shiny black Mercedes-Benz E430 with cream leather interior, a 2002 model that retailed around $50,000. Not exactly average.

Major Homebuilder Joins Partnership

     
From Under the Dome at the Raleigh News & Observer:
A major North Carolina home builder does not oppose a transfer tax

KB Home announced today that it has joined the Partnership for North Carolina's Future
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The N.C. Home Builders Association has opposed transfer taxes for years
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Tim Pittman, a spokesman for KB Home, said that the company does not feel quite as strongly. "We've not specifically endorsed a transfer tax at this point, but we're open to the idea," he said.

KB Home builds houses in North Carolina ranging in price from $120,000 to $350,000 in Charlotte and the Triangle including Martha Stewart Homes in Raleigh and Cary. The company recently introduced a program educating homebuyers on eco-friendly products at KB Home Studio showrooms.

Products throughout the studio are tagged with the myEarth logo and are accompanied by information explaining the benefits of the product. Each product will be placed in a corresponding category. The categories are:

• Energy Efficient: Options that conserve energy or generate energy from renewable sources. Examples of these products include radiant barriers, energy star appliances and light fixtures, programmable thermostats, and light dimmers.
• Water Wise: Options that help to conserve water. Examples of these products include xeriscape landscaping, low flow plumbing fixtures and faucets, water-conserving washers and dishwashers.
• Healthier Home: Options that provide for cleaner indoor air quality and water as well as products that have anti-germ or similar qualities. These include water treatment systems, central vacuum systems, low –VOC paint, and gas and electric fireplaces.
• Sustainable Sources: Options that contain recycled, recyclable and environmentally sustainable materials. These include carpet made from recycled and recyclable nylon, bamboo flooring, and doors made from recycled wood particles.

And, the Partnership for North Carolina's Future has begun running TV ads. Click the image above or [Click here] to see.

UPDATE: Read the press release about KB Home from Partnership for North Carolina's Future.