Kansas REALTORS® gather with Senator Pat Roberts
“Kansas REALTOR® visits to Capitol Hill during NAR legislative meetings were a great success,” said Patrick Vogelsberg, KAR’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs. “We engaged several legislators, most notably the two Kansas Senators, to further policies that protect Kansas families, business owners and REALTORS®.”
Access to Affordable Housing
Kansas REALTORS® thanked the House for their support of H.R. 3700, the “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act” and H.R. 2901, the “Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act.” We encouraged Senator Moran and Senator Roberts to support these measures in the Senate.
Senator Jerry Moran talks about working together to create an opportunity economy.
H.R. 3700 reforms loan programs for condominiums, federal assisted housing and Rural Housing Service loans, giving Kansans access to more affordable housing and financing. H.R. 2901 gives consumers options for competitive, fairly priced Flood Insurance.
Protect Families and Businesses from Increased Tax Burden
Kansas REALTORS® also met with legislators to discuss the need to protect vital tax policies during any future tax reform efforts. Specifically we discussed the following:
(1) Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions
More than 75% of homeowners utilize the mortgage interest deduction (MID) during some period when they own a home*. The MID, along with property tax deductions on federal income tax, has made homeownership possible for millions of Americans.
Kansas REALTORS® with Representative Kevin Yoder
(2) Like-Kind Exchanges
Commercial REALTORS® spoke out to protect Section 1031 provision which encourages economic growth by allowing for deferment of capitol gains to reinvest into a similar property (a like/kind exchange). Loss of the like/kind exchange will increase effective tax rates and result in fewer development projects in our communities and fewer jobs.
Special thanks to the Federal Political Coordinators and all the Kansas REALTORS® who made the trip to D.C. to advocate for the REALTOR® Party.
*NAR 2016 Capitol Hill Talking Points
