Astroturf Update

At the rate of spending revealed so far it appears that the NC Association of Realtors (NCAR) and the NC Home Builders Association have committed to spend at least $400,000 each in fake grassroots efforts to defeat the transfer tax in the 16 counties holding a referendum on the issue. Contributions from affiliated realtor groups could bring the total projected state budget close to $1,000,000 for local astroturf committees alone. This in addition to state level lobbying expenditures by NCAR of $938,787.

Johnston County Astroturf Report

According to documents filed 10/26/07 with the Johnston County Board of Elections for the Johnston County Property Owners Against Transfer Taxes, Donald Byrd, a director of the Johnston County Association of Realtors, is treasurer and funding in the amount of $74,386 comes from the NC Association of Realtors, Triangle MLS and, the NC Home Builders Association. Of this $69,532 has been spent with $4,854 cash on hand.

$25,000 Triangle MLS
$28,500 NC Home Builders Association
$14,500 NC Association of Realtors
   $999 NC Association of Realtors in-kind
 $5,387 Other sources (previous in-kind)
$74,386 Total

Harnett County Astroturf Report

According to documents filed 10/26/07 with the Harnett County Board of Elections for the Harnett County Citizen Against The Home Tax, Jan Morris, a Realtor in Coats, is treasurer and funding in the amount of $45,425 comes from the NC Association of Realtors, the Fayetteville Association of Realtors and, the NC Home Builders Association. Of this $42,938 has been spent with $2,488 cash on hand.

$1,000 Fayetteville Association of Realtors
$19,655 NC Home Builders Association
$18,700 NC Association of Realtors
   $999 NC Association of Realtors in-kind
 $5,071 Other sources (previous in-kind)
$45,425 Total

According to documents filed 10/18/07 with the Harnett County Board of Elections, Dallas Woodhouse registered the AFP-Harnett County referendum committee listing a contribution of $2,900 from Americans For Prosperity, Washington, DC.

This follows similar reports from Henderson County and from Chatham County:

The Henderson County Coalition to Protect Home Equity committee's funding of $42,233 comes from the NC Home Builders Association ($24,950) and the NC Association of Realtors ($17,283)

According to documents filed 10/17/07 with the Chatham County Board of Elections, Dallas Woodhouse registered the AFP-Chatham County referendum committee listing a contribution of $2,900 from Americans For Prosperity, Washington, DC.