Real estate lobbyist reports to NABBORS
By PHYLLIS BRITT
The term to describe the 2009 session of the S.C. legislature is a "zoo," according to Cashion Drolet, chief lobbyist for the S.C. Association of Realtors.
Speaking at last week's regular luncheon of North Augusta/Belvedere Board of Realtors, Drolet gave a rundown of her work and the upcoming 2010 legislative session. "We are the largest trade association and one of the biggest, loudest and most respected PACs -- the second largest in the state," she said, noting the House Republican Caucus is No. 1.
Drolet suggested that representing 17,000 real estate agents opens a lot of doors for the SCAR lobby. Part of the job of the lobby is to take sides and contribute to campaigns of politicians, she detailed.
The lobbyist said the last session of the legislature was a zoo because of the debate between the governor and "everyone else." "There was a debate every week on the stimulus money; consequently, very little got done," she said.
Among the real estate lobby's major concerns was legislation on point of sale and on tax assessment reform. She reminded the group that point of sale causes automatic reassessment of a property when it's sold.
She also insisted the current property tax structure is turning commercial investment out of the state.
"But the elephant in the room is the governor and the issue of impeachment," she declared, detailing the process that is necessary for impeachment -- The House has to write the articles of impeachment and must vote to impeach. Then the S.C. Senate must hold the impeachment trials with Chief Justice Jean Toal at the helm. She maintained some believe what Gov. Sanford is doing is "horrible but not impeachable" while others desire an ethics investigation and are willing to wait and see what that reveals.
Drolet said the state association has worked for three years on a bill to increase the demand for Realtor professionalism.
Noting it's an election year. Drolet raised some concerns for the coming year. She pointed out the Real Estate Commission used to have 24 employees and is now down to 2-1âÑ2. "Where is the LLR (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) using that money instead of providing money for dedicated staff?" she queried. "We expect a lot from the LLR and they're not delivering."
In the coming year, she said the agenda is mostly defensive. There is a bill that would prosecute the unauthorized practice of law -- and that may include Realtors writing their own contracts, sales tax and commissions, an impact fee statute.
She reported the $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers might be extended and the credit may be opened up to other home buyers.