Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS®
Public Policy Report
“THE MONITOR”
Spring 2018
“When you get together in a group, it becomes like a family, with the different personalities and the politics that comes along….It’s different than bringing something in by yourself.”
— Albert Hammond, Gibraltarian singer, songwriter and record producer
ELECTION RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS to all winners in the May 1st elections in Hampton and Newport News! The Public Policy Committee interviewed, over the course of two days, nearly all of the candidates seeking re-election/election to City Council in Hampton and Newport News, and Mayor in Newport News. The following were elected:
(*denotes VPAR/RPAC endorsement)
HAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
Eleanor Brown*
Steve Brown*
Jimmy Gray*
NEWPORT NEWS MAYOR
Dr. McKinley Price*
NEWPORT NEWS CITY COUNCIL
Dr. Saundra Cherry*
David Jenkins*
Sharon Scott*
VPAR looks forward to continuing to work with these public servants on important issues related to housing, land use, zoning, planning, economic development and transportation.
Local Issues
Hampton Permitting Process
The Public Policy Committee met with Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck, at the Mayor’s request, to provide input into how the City can incorporate streamlining and best practices in the permitting submission and approval process. The Mayor will use the details provided by VPAR into a meeting with Hampton officials in early May.
Hampton Zoning Amendments and Recurrent Flooding
Terry O’Neill, Director of Community Development, has asked for VPAR’s input into potential amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding recurrent flooding. VPAR’s Legislative Consultant and Public Policy Committee member (and Hampton Neighborhood Commissioner) Peggy Todd will meet with Mr. O’Neill and his team in late May.
Ft. Eustis/City of Newport News AICUZ
VPAR’s CEO and Legislative Consultant has provided input into the development of Ft. Eustis Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ). Personnel from the installation will be meeting with VPAR again in the coming weeks to review the details and the language. An educational program is in development for VPAR members.
Ft. Eustis Joint Land Use Study
VPAR’s Legislative Consultant reviewed the Ft. Eustis Joint Land Use Study and provided feedback to City staff on issues related to housing, recurrent flooding and economic development. The report can be found here. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3a99a7_58423e7847ce4078af32aceafeb6489f.pdf
Newport News Boys & Girls Club Placemaking Grant
VPAR is working with Anderson’s Garden Center in reigniting stalled efforts from two years ago to improve the grounds of the Boys & Girls Club Pinedale Branch in Newport News.
Newport News Rental Inspection Program
Newport News Codes Compliance Director Harold Roach and his team will be meeting with VPAR members on June 21st to provide an update of the rental inspection program and receive VPAR feedback on potential challenges and inefficiencies.
Poquoson REALTOR® Day on June 13th
On June 13th, VPAR will return to Poquoson for the annual REALTOR® DAY IN POQUOSON event! The tour of “Bull Island” will be by boat, and again will feature a host of guest speakers from the City to inform VPAR members of all that us unique to Poquoson. More details coming soon!
ONGOING ADVOCACY ISSUES
- Hampton Housing Market Assessment and Future Housing Needs Study
- Newport News Comprehensive Plan
- Hilton 100/VPAR Collaboration
State Issues
2018 GA Adjourns (Sort of)
The 2018 General Assembly Session adjourned in March, and the REALTOR® Legislative Agenda saw a 100% success rate on all of our legislation! BIG THANKS TO VPAR PPC MEMBER SANDRA HOOD FOR INITIATING THE LEGISLATION REGARDING LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF REAL ESTATE. BOTH BILLS PASSED and BECOME LAW IN VIRGINIA ON JULY 1st!
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0087+pdf
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0039+pdf
State Budget
Continuing toward crafting an approved budget, VPAR has weighed in with key elected leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia on comprehensive issues including Metro Funding and the grantors tax.
2019 Legislation
Looking ahead to the 2019 Session, if you have concerns or issues that require a legislative fix, now is the time to let VPAR know! Contact Susan Gaston, VPAR’s Legislative Consultant, at 757-871-1445 or at susan@gastongroup.com. You also may go directly to VR and complete the legislative issue request form found here: https://www.virginiarealtors.org/advocacy/get-involved/legislativeagenda/ DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS JUNE 5th to VPAR.
Federal Issues
EPA Proposes Regulatory Science Reforms
U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule to strengthen the science used in regulations issued by EPA.
Coalition Letter in Support of CFPB Structure Change
NAR signed onto a joint trades letter in support of H.R. 5266, the “Product Safety Commission Act of 2018,” a bill that would transition the leadership structure at the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) from a sole director to a bipartisan commission.
NAR Supports Seller Financing Bill
NAR sent a letter to Representatives Pearce (R-NM) and Heck (D-WA) thanking them for introducing H.R. 5287, the “Preserving Access to Rural Installment Transactions for Years (PARITY) Act of 2018.”
ASC Rejects Appraisal Waiver Request
The Board of the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) decided in an open meeting to reject Tri-Star Bank’s request for a waiver of commercial appraisal requirements for the Nashville, TN area.
Change to USDOT Transportation Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of discretionary grant funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program.
VPAR’S LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT IS “OUT AND ABOUT!”
RECENT MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD WITH:
- John Knapp, District Director, U. S. Senator Tim Kaine
- Drew Lumpkin, District Director, U. S. Senator Mark Warner
- Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
- Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck
- Newport News Mayor McKinley Price
- Poquoson Economic Development Director Dave Callis
- York County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sheila Noll
- York County Board of Supervisors Member Jeff Wassmer
- Mamie Locke
- Monty Mason
- Tommy Norment
- Gordon Helsel
- Mike Mullin
- Brenda Pogge
- Cia Price
- Jeoin Ward
- David Yancey