This year was a blockbuster year for the HAR Governmental Affairs and Advocacy Department. On the member advocacy side, our Governmental Affairs Advisory Group (GAAG) of 44 dedicated REALTOR® members, was led by co-chairs Marilyn Arendt and A. David Schwarz III. Under their leadership, the GAAG was able to increase member participation, and ensure REALTOR® issues were successful during the legislative session. 

Additionally, I was honored to become your new Director of Governmental Affairs and Advocacy and welcome a new member to our staff, Carol Stewart. We are honored to work with a great group of individuals dedicated to enhancing the real estate industry and protecting private property rights. We are looking forward to ending 2019 on a strong note, and an even better 2020!

March – REALTOR® Day at the Capitol

2019 was our largest group to date! This number included a seven-bus, 250-person delegation from the Greater Houston area.

HAR members, including HAR and TREPAC leadership, visited with state lawmakers on key public issues and related bills filed in the 86th Texas Legislature.

April – Elected Officials Reception 

HAR Leadership and Major Investors welcomed top elected officials in the Greater Houston area at a reception held at Brennan’s.

May – HAR at La Griglia

Reception welcoming new Harris County Leadership – Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman.

July – Legislative update with Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Brandon Creighton gave an informative legislative update to HAR’s Governmental and Political Affairs Advisory Groups at the HAR Montgomery County Branch.

August – 5-Minute Advocate Training

The GAAG held a training with Chonya Davis Johnson, “America’s 5 Minute Advocate,” to learn how to effectively communicate policies and issues to peers and elected officials.

HAR 2019 Grant Initiatives 

A goal for 2019 was to enhance the visibility of REALTORS® as community leaders and strengthen REALTOR® relationships with elected officials. This year, we were awarded $75,000 in grant funding from NAR and were able to complete nine new initiatives.