PAR’s Local Government Affairs Program provides government affairs services to local associations/boards that do not have a GAD. Currently, 75% of local associations/boards do not have a GAD which includes approximately 29% of total PAR membership.

Local associations/boards are usually smaller organizations that need assistance in fighting ordinances, monitoring public notices, facilitating meaningful relationships with local officials and creating systems change. PAR is offering these services to the local associations/boards and assisting in crafting effective grassroots campaigns.

• Overview of Student Rental Restrictions Ordinance (Indiana County)
• Analysis of Rental Ordinance re: Regulated Rental Units (Edinboro Borough, Erie County)
• Home Rule Municipalities that can increase the Realty Transfer Tax (PDF)
• State College Realty Transfer Tax Campaign (PDF)

Contact: Elizabeth Hensil, Public Policy and Grassroots Manager.

Realtor® associations across the Commonwealth have government affairs programs to ensure that policy decisions on the local level are enacted which are fair and balanced to the real estate industry.

Among other duties, local government affairs staff review proposed ordinances and submit comments as necessary; communicate with local, state, and federal elected officials on issues important to the real estate industry; and conduct candidate interviews and provide input on races to the RPAC Trustees.

Local associations with government affairs programs in place are:

• Greater Harrisburg Association
• Greater Philadelphia Association
• Lancaster County Association
• Lehigh Valley Association
• Pen-Mar Regional Association
• Pocono Mountains Association
• Reading Berks Association
• REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh
• REALTORS® Association of York & Adams Counties
• Suburban REALTORS® Alliance (covering the Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Suburban West Associations)

For further information on establishing a local government affairs program, please contact Derenda Updegrave, Director, Public Policy & Political Affairs.