The GAD Top Three | August 5th, 2024

Support Aspire North Endorsed Candidates and Issues in August Primary Election Tomorrow; NAR Opposes President’s Rent Cap Proposal; NAR Becomes a Community Partner for National Voter Registration Day

This week on the GAD Top Three, we lead off with a call to support Aspire North REALTORS' endorsed candidate, Rep. John R. Roth, and vote YES on the Traverse City Area Public Schools Bond Proposal. Second, NAR voices its opposition to the president’s rent cap proposal of 5% per year. Last, NAR becomes a community partner for National Voter Registration Day on September 18th!

1. Support Aspire North REALTORS® Endorsed Candidates and Issues in August Primary Election Tomorrow!

This Tuesday, August 6th is Michigan’s primary election day! Following our candidate and issues selection and endorsement process, Aspire North REALTORS® has made two endorsements for the August 6th primary, and we ask that our members support the following candidate and issue when you vote.

Representative in State Legislature 104th District
John R. Roth (R) 

Traverse City Area Public Schools Bond Proposal
VOTE YES

You can vote by dropping off your absentee (if you requested and received one), vote in person at your local clerk’s office through August 5th, or vote at your voting precinct on election day, August 6th. You can find all your voter information including your polling place, check your registration status, and view your ballot at mi.gov/vote.

2. NAR Opposes President’s Rent Cap Proposal

The National Association of REALTORS® and a coalition of housing providers (including the National Multifamily Housing Council, the National Apartment Association, IREM, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Mortgage Bankers Association) sent a letter to the White House and Congress expressing strong opposition to the President’s announced rent cap proposal. The proposal—which requires Congressional action—would take away the accelerated depreciation tax provision from housing providers with 50 or more units who raise rents by more than 5% per year. It would be in place for two years and only apply to existing properties, not new builds.

NAR and its coalition partners stress that rent caps will not solve the issue of the shortage of affordable housing. They jeopardize the financial solvency of rental communities, lower the quality of housing stock, limit housing choices, and disincentivize new development. Economists from across the political spectrum agree rent control ultimately worsens challenges to affordable housing in communities and ignores the real reasons those challenges exist. Instead of focusing on this failed policy solution, the administration should support federal programs that encourage new investment into our nation’s rental housing stock and push for states and localities to remove barriers to new development. Read more about NAR’s opposition to the rent cap proposal here.

Information courtesy of the National Association of REALTORS®

3. NAR Becomes a Community Partner for National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day established in 2012 is a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy each September. This year’s holiday will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. As a community partner this year the National Association of REALTORS® is encouraging state and local associations to fill out this form and host a voter registration event.

Aspire North REALTORS® is excited NAR to have as a community partner for National Voter Registration Day! Aspire North REALTORS® has been a community partner for National Voter Registration Day and celebrated this day since 2016. Thanks to our association’s participation in National Voter Registration Day, Aspire North REALTORS® currently has a voter registration rate of just under 98% for our REALTOR® membership!!!


Connor Miller photo
Connor Miller
Government Affairs Director

As the Government Affairs Director, I work to advocate for the real estate industry through programming that promotes the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates; engage, inform, and activate membership and local government officials on key local and state real estate policies; provide staff support to the REALTOR® Political Action Committee that invests members' voluntary contributions to protect and promote the real estate industry; and support the Aspire North memberships’ involvement in community projects to further grow and strengthen our region.