>> IREM CAPITOL HILL FLY-IN
IREM will be returning to D.C. on
March 5-6 with its Capitol Hill Fly-In. IREM President Don Wilkerson,
CPM, explained why the association is
planning this event: “The objective is
to provide members an opportunity to
personally meet with their federal legislators and advocate for issues critical to
the real estate management industry.”
Moreover, the Fly-In “allows members
to be part of something bigger than
themselves while helping federal legislators understand the importance of a
healthy real estate industry.”
>> CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING
IREM conducted its inaugural Congressional briefing, titled “Federal Policies
and Their Impact on Real Estate,” last
July. The event was a great success, with
IREM Members presenting to over 60
Congressional legislative staffers. The
outcome was so beneficial, a second
briefing is being planned for July of this
year. Stay tuned to irem.org for more details about this event.
>> IN-DISTRICT MEETINGS
Even with the Fly-In, IREM still encourages members to meet with their federal
legislators in their district offices. Since
Congress is on recess for the entire month
of August, this month is an excellent time
to make appointments with legislators to
discuss industry issues. Although meetings at district offices may be preferred,
there are other options for connecting
with representatives, should a district office meeting not be viable. Attending one
of the legislator’s scheduled events, like
a town hall meeting, is a possibility. Or,
be the host instead of the guest and invite
representatives to a chapter event or to
take a property tour.
Ted Thurn ( tthurn@irem.org) is director of government affairs at IREM Headquarters in Chicago.
has witnessed a great deal of turnover in recent years. Since the 2010 midterms, nearly
one-third of the House and two-thirds of the Senate has turned over.
“To assist our members in getting acquainted or reacquainted with federal legislators,” said Debbie Prejeant, CPM, vice-chair of the Legislative and Public Policy
Committee, “IREM has developed two types of letters that members can use when
contacting legislators. Both outline how IREM can assist them with property management issues; one will be for communicating with new members, introducing them to
IREM and congratulating them on being elected, and the other will be for reaching
out to incumbents, commending them on defending their seats.”
2019 INITIATIVES
Several initiatives are on the 2019 calendar to help support IREM’s priorities and
increase elected officials’ education and awareness of commercial and multifamily real
estate management.
INFRASTRUCTURE COULD BE ONE OF A FEW AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH
PARTIES CALLING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COUNTRY’S AGING BRIDGES,
ROADS AND AIRPORTS.
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PHOTO © RICARDO GOMEZ ANGEL
