Realtors® Meet with Legislators, Observe House and Senate Sessions

Close to 50 Realtors® boarded a bus in the early morning hours of January 30 for the NVAR Public Policy Committee’s annual trip to Richmond. Senior Vice President for Public & Government Affairs, Mary Beth Coya, NVAR’s “boots on the ground” in Richmond during each legislative session, was waiting with hot coffee and a roster of legislators eager to meet with NVAR constituents. 

The daylong event included briefings by Northern Virginia delegation members, a lunchtime visit from Governor Terry McAuliffe – complete with photo-ops, as well as an opportunity to observe the legislative process from the House and Senate galleries and in committees. Del. Tom Rust (R-Herndon) recognized the NVAR visitors from the House floor, and Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston) introduced the NVAR group in the Senate. Realtors® also paid visits to legislators representing their own districts to discuss the 2014 VAR legislative agenda. See the January/February issue of RE+VIEW (go.nvar.com/1401), pg. 21, for a synopsis of this year’s agenda. 

On the bus back to Northern Virginia, participants enjoyed a wine and cheese happy hour and remarks from the 2014 NV/RPAC Chairman Roger Nakazawa and trip sponsor Kevin Connelly of BB&T. Inspired by the days’ events and a first-hand look at the important work accomplished by NVAR Government Affairs staff in Richmond, members pledged more than $7,000 that afternoon to the 2014 NV/RPAC campaign.
 

  L. A show of hands from first-time attendees demonstrates the popularity of NVAR’s annual Legislative Trip to Richmond. While there were many newcomers, a significant segment of the group is made up of returning members.
R. Del. Jackson Miller (R-Manassas), majority whip for the Republican Caucus, spoke about Realtor® legislation that he carried during the 2014 session, including bills affecting the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

  
L. Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna), co-patron of the first-time homebuyer savings account bill carried by Del. Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls), works closely with NVAR to understand the impacts of proposed legislation. He said that the legislators could only make a positive difference if they know how issues affect the Realtor® community and the home-buying and selling public.
R. NVAR Board Member Loraine Arora, enjoyed a photo-op with Governor Terry McAuliffe. The Governor spoke briefly about what he hopes to accomplish. “I don’t believe in sleep,” he said. “Let’s get this show on the road!”


R. Realtor® Ashok Varma of A-One Realty found time for a semi-private tour of the Governor’s mansion in between legislative meetings.

Legislative trip participants had a birds-eye view of the House in session from the upper level gallery seats.