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RPAC Frequently Asked Questions
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What is RPAC?
RPAC stands for the REALTORS®
Political Action Committee. RPAC was organized by the
IAR for the purpose of collecting
political
contributions and providing assistance to candidates
who support issues important to the real estate
profession. RPAC is neither
a Republican nor a Democratic organization. In
fact, RPAC
is the most bipartisan PAC in Iowa and in the country
today, supporting
REALTOR® friends regardless of political party.
RPAC is a vital way for REALTORS®? to speak in
a unified voice.
What is RPEC?
RPEC is the REALTORS®? Political Education Committee.
RPEC contributions are used to further the political education
and awareness
of our membership and the public. The contributions are
also used for issues mobilization, coalition building and
the development of brochures and position papers. RPEC money
cannot be used for campaign contributions.
Why contribute?
- Because public policy shapes our business - No
matter where you live-or how far it seems from the state
capital or Washington
D.C.-laws affecting the real estate business are passed
every year. Elected officials regularly pass laws on taxation,
mortgage finance, housing, private property rights,
and licensure.
Many of these laws determine how we as real estate
professionals do business and impact the profitability of
our business.
- Because campaign contributions make a difference -
By pooling
the resources of many REALTORS®?, the cost of campaign
contributions is spread broadly and REALTORS®? collectively
have a voice.
Where does the money go?
100% of your contribution will be
used to elect Pro-REALTOR® candidates.
70% of your contribution goes to Iowa RPAC to support
candidates for the state legislature and other
state and local offices.
The other 30% goes to NAR to support candidates
for the U.S. Congress upon the recommendation of
the State
RPAC
Trustees.
Back to top Who decides?
RPAC believes that the people
who raise RPAC dollars should have the greatest say in
how those dollars are allocated.
That’s why all candidate contribution decisions
begin on the local level with REALTORS® interviewing
candidates and making their contributions based upon
that information.
It is REALTORS®, not lobbyists, who have the
most say in how RPAC’s money is spent. Contribution
decisions are made by the RPAC Trustees; a nine-member
REALTOR® committee
nominated by the IAR Nominating Committee and elected
by the IAR membership to serve staggered three-year
terms.
The
main objective of the RPAC Trustees is to help elect
candidates who support REALTOR® issues. The decisions
made by the RPAC
Trustees rest on a candidate’s position on
key real estate issues, the REALTOR® relationship
with
a candidate
in the home district, committee assignments and leadership
position.
How can I support RPAC?
Whether your contribution
is $25 or $250, the money you give to support your REALTORS®
PAC makes a difference, not only
to your business but also to the millions of property
owners our profession represents. Please write a personal
check
to RPAC or RPEC- corporate checks are prohibited for
RPAC but may be used for RPEC.
How has RPAC helped?
- Preventing taxes on real
estate commissions
- Supporting legislation to allow licensees
to continue to prepare real estate documents
- Eliminating
after-the-fact referrals and reducing threats from third
party affinity programs
- Preventing unnecessary additions
to sellers disclosure forms and other forms
- Preventing transfer
tax increases and reducing property taxes
- Supporting legislation
protecting private property rights and takings compensation
- Stopping
legislation which would have eliminated the mortgage interest
deduction
- Supporting capital gains tax cuts and tax reforms
which encourage real estate investment
- Reducing risks and
legal liability through enacting seller disclosure laws
- Increased
FHA/VA loan limits, allowing more families to move into
the ranks of home ownership
Back to top The IAR offers special recognition to thank those who support
RPAC with a contribution of $99 or more.
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Contribution |
Recognition |
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$99-$249 |
RPAC pin and invitation to RPAC reception during the
IAR convention |
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$250-$499 |
RPAC pin, invitation to RPAC reception during convention,
and IAR gift |
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$500-$999 |
RPAC pin, invitation to RPAC reception during convention,
IAR gift, and invitations to meetings with elected officials |
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$1,000 |
RPAC pin, IAR gift, RPAC Sterling R plaque, invitation
to RPAC reception during convention, invitations to meetings
with elected officials, and recognition in the REALTOR®
Report |
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® RPAC Trip:
Also,
for a $20 contribution you will be automatically entered
in NAR’s “All-American Dream” Sweepstakes.
- $20
One Sweepstakes entry
- $99 Ten Sweepstakes
entries
How do I make a donation?
Online
By Mail
- Make your personal check payable to either RPAC or RPEC
- Send to:
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| Contributions are not deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political
purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal or otherwise
affecting your membership rights. 70 percent of each contribution
is used by the Iowa RPAC to support state and local political
candidates. The balance is sent to National RPAC to support Federal
candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C.
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