“All too often, individual voters feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness. No one seems to hear. By joining a political action committee, one voice joins another, creating a clamor that is hard to ignore.”
-Paul Chellgren, former CEO, Ashland Corp.
What is the PSF?
PSF is the Political Survival Fund. It is a monetary fund comprised of voluntary contributions from REALTORS® that supports candidates and issues impacting the real estate industry.
Why should I contribute to PSF?
By pulling together and contributing to the PSF, REALTORS® are exercising a constitutionally protected right to participate in our nation’s political process. By collectively representing the viewpoints of thousands of REALTORS®, the PSF can be a single, unified voice for real estate in all levels of government. The ultimate goal is to position REALTORS® as the largest and most influential political advocacy organization in the state.
Where do my dollars go?
About 70 cents of every dollar contributed stays in the state of Colorado for use in local and statewide elections. The remaining 30 cents is used for national candidates and issues.
Which candidates get PSF funds?
REALTORS® conduct an intensive candidate screening program at the local level to insure that we interview candidates about real estate issues. The screening process enables us to become involved in the campaigns of candidates who understand the issues that affect your business, and are willing to listen to the REALTOR® point of view.
Do you only give to candidates of one party?
Absolutely not! RPAC is designed to help get the best candidates elected, regardless of political party affiliation.
Aren’t PACs just “Dirty Politics”?
Not at all. Contributing to a political action committee is a constitutionally protected right enjoyed by every American. The PSF allows REALTORS® everywhere to freely organize and it ensures that issues concerning the real estate industry are openly and fairly discussed.
What has the PSF done for me lately?
In the past few years, the PSF has made significant contributions to improving the state’s business climate while helping your bottom line. Some success stories:
Helped pass “FasTracks YES”, the comprehensive plan designed to alleviate the growing transportation and congestion problems in the greater metro Denver area. The plan is consistent with the REALTOR® supported idea for Smart Growth that calls for transportation options in growth areas.
Defeated a number of proposed “service charges”, “impact fees” and “assessments” that amount to unconstitutional new transfer taxes around the state. These proposals could have added over $950.00 to the cost of the average home in Colorado. Had these ideas taken hold, numerous Coloradans would have been priced out of the market, missing out on the American Dream of home ownership.
Keeping Banks Out of Real Estate: NAR secured another one-year prohibition in the FY06 Transportation/Treasury/HUD Appropriations bill, preventing the Department of the Treasury from finalizing its rule that would allow banks to offer real estate brokerage and management services. Banks won’t be permitted to enter the real estate business for another year. The prohibition will remain in effect until September 30, 2006.
Do-Not-Fax. NAR-backed legislation was approved by Congress and signed into law July 9, 2005 by President Bush protecting REALTORSÒ from unfair and costly changes to their marketing practices. REALTORSÒ without written agreements will not incur significant fines and penalties if they send faxes to clients with whom they have had longstanding “established business relationships.”
What’s on the horizon for the PSF?
2006 is a critical election year for REALTORS® across the country, here in Colorado, and at home in your community. Candidates are running for office who will make decisions impacting your bottom line. It is more important than ever for the PSF to have a visible and unified voice in our political process. We must work hard to help elect those candidates who score well on REALTOR issues. The PSF also works hard on ballot initiatives and referendums that affect private property rights and the needs of the real estate industry.
How can I help?
Make out your check to the Political Survival Fund (PSF) today and send it to your local association. Your check today will help ensure your industry’s political future tomorrow. Make the check out for $1000, $250, $99, or whatever you can afford – it doesn’t matter how much you contribute. It only matters that you do! Remember, real estate is your profession, and politics is your business.
Why Should You Contribute to PSF?
Why Not!
I don’t believe in giving to political candidates.
You have insurance on your car, home and business office, don’t you? The result of bad legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly or the U.S. Congress can be more financially catastrophic than the loss of your home, office or car by fire, theft or storm. The best insurance for your profession is to help elect officials who share our philosophy and will guard against such loss. That’s what the PSF does.
I already contribute to candidates of my choice.
Good! You should donate to the candidate of your choice, but you should also contribute through the PSF. A contribution to a candidate from the PSF represents our entire profession and our views of legislation that directly affect our business. The contribution that the PSF is able to give will often make the difference between victory and defeat for a pro-real estate candidate.
I don’t like the “so-and-so” that received PSF funds.
No one approves of every contribution made. The PSF Trustees, however, have the voting records of incumbents and have information from other sources, such as candidate interviews, to aid in the decision-making process. They make mistakes, certainly, but through PSF, they have given Realtors® tremendous political clout. They are working for our best interest.
I’d prefer to see PSF funds used to battle state and local issues.
Good news! When PSF funds are collected and processed, a percentage of the funds are expressly dedicated for use on ballot issues. While both courses of action are important, electing officials who are sensitive to our issues can help avoid costly “issues battles” in the future.
How will my donation be used?
Up to 70 percent of your PSF dollar is reserved for use right here in Colorado and can impact local elections, as well as be used for education and issues. Your contribution to the PSF will be spread across the board to help pro-real estate candidates all the way from your local city council to Washington D.C.
I can’t afford to contribute.
The economy is a result of government actions and we really can’t afford NOT to get involved this year. Your contribution is used directly to elect representatives who will be responsive to the economic problems of our industry. A check to the PSF is an investment in your business.
PACs are dirty politics.
Not at all. Contributing to a political action committee is a constitutionally protected right enjoyed by every American. The PSF allows Realtors everywhere to freely organize and it ensures issues concerning the real estate industry are openly and fairly discussed. In fact, political action committees are highly regulated and have contributions limits for elections. Many times a contribution from the PSF is a very small amount in a candidate’s total campaign fund.
For more Information on PSF and to make a contribution, Click Here