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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Earthquake in Avery County
Avery County PASSED the first successful Land Transfer Tax initiative in the state yesterday! Avery County, where they have to truck a Democrat into Newland once a year (usually on the Fourth of July), just to remember what one looks like, passes an enabling referendum for a voluntary new tax on the transfer of properties.
Now, the vote was howlingly close ... 1,434 for to 1,409 against ... but still.
The North Carolina Association of Realtors had fought against it HARD. The John Locke Foundation had mocked the argument that the tax would help local education.
But yet it passed.
'Course, holding the election in the dead of winter might have helped a little, with all those rich Republican second-home owners far far away, marinating in suntan oil.
Now, the vote was howlingly close ... 1,434 for to 1,409 against ... but still.
The North Carolina Association of Realtors had fought against it HARD. The John Locke Foundation had mocked the argument that the tax would help local education.
But yet it passed.
'Course, holding the election in the dead of winter might have helped a little, with all those rich Republican second-home owners far far away, marinating in suntan oil.
Labels: Avery County, John Locke Foundation, land transfer tax, North Carolina Association of Realtors
Friday, July 25, 2008
Board of Elections Complaint Against NCAR
Becky Harper, a realtor in Raleigh, has filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections about the N.C. Association of Realtors' use of required dues to oppose the transfer tax. (Earlier.)
Director of the State BOE says the matter will be looked into.
She notes that she is required to be a member of the association to have access to the Multiple Listing Service, which lists real estate for sale.
"I do not believe that it is right that my required fees are used to support direct political action for or against ballot initiatives," she writes.
She also notes that the dues are deductible as a business expense, but the use of them for political purposes may "jeopardize" that deduction.
Director of the State BOE says the matter will be looked into.
Labels: land transfer tax, North Carolina Association of Realtors, North Carolina Board of Elections
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
NCAR Turning Dirty Harry
Laura Leslie has the best account we've seen of the coercion going on at the NC Association of Realtors (NCAR), the strong-arming of members to cough up another $75 in extra dough so that NCAR can stomp on any county government even considering a land transfer tax ("De-Listed?").
Apparently, some realtor members are resisting, and they're being treated to less than subtle threats for their resistance.
It's questionable ... the advice NCAR is passing out that the money, earmarked for political lobbying, can be written off as a business expense.
Apparently, some realtor members are resisting, and they're being treated to less than subtle threats for their resistance.
It's questionable ... the advice NCAR is passing out that the money, earmarked for political lobbying, can be written off as a business expense.
Labels: North Carolina Association of Realtors
