The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has launched a Twitter Call for Action on patent trolls. Both the House and Senate are considering legislation to stop patent trolls and this Call for Action will provide needed local input. Without needed reforms that reinforce legitimate patent rights and curtail frivolous litigation schemes, REALTORS’ ability to grow, innovate and better serve modern consumers will be put at risk. 

Click here to participate in this Twitter Call for Action. Click here to learn more.

According to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), New York State consumer home buying plans fell 0.1 points to 3.8 percent in March. Overall, New York State consumer confidence decreased 2.4 points, while the nation’s confidence fell 1.6 points. At 73.9, New York’s overall consumer confidence is 6.1 points below the nation’s confidence level of 80. 

Click here to learn more.

According to a study recently released by the Tax Foundation, New York had the highest tax burden of any state in the nation in 2011. On average, New Yorkers spent 12.6 percent of their per capita income in 2011 on state and local taxes. This marks the third year in a row that New York had the nation’s highest taxes.

New Jersey was a close second with 12.3 percent and Connecticut was third at 11.9 percent. Wyoming had the overall lowest tax burden of any state with residents paying 9.7 percent of their income to state and local taxes.

To read the full ranking, click here.

Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a $138 billion 2014-15 State Budget that holds overall spending growth just below two percent. The budget includes a new Property Tax Credit to provide relief to New York homeowners. For New York City residents, the budget creates a new $85 million, progressively-structured "circuit breaker" tax relief program. 

Click here to learn more.

On April 3, the United States Senate Finance Committee agreed to a bipartisan bill to reinstate close to 50 tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013. Please contact your senators to urge them to act on the Finance Committee Tax Extenders Bill. Also, if you have clients in distressed situations, urge them to do so as well. The more senators hear from constituents, the better.

For more information, click here.

The Supreme Court has struck down a decades-old cap on the total amount any individual can contribute to federal candidates in a two-year election cycle. The 5-to-4 decision echoed Citizens United, the 2010 decision that struck down limits on independent campaign spending by corporations and unions.

The ruling concerned only contributions from individuals. Federal law continues to ban direct contributions by corporations and unions, though they remain free to spend unlimited sums through "super PACs" and similar vehicles. The ruling does not impact state imposed contribution limits.

Today’s NYSAR Radio show will cover fair housing in honor of April being Fair Housing Month. Tune in at 10 a.m. this morning on your PC or Mac by using the player on the NYSAR Radio page. You will need to be logged in to listen. If you have not yet created your account with the website, you will need to click on "New User" on the Member Login page and follow the prompts.

Click here for more information as well as a list of links to play NYSAR Radio from any of your mobile devices.

As you begin cleaning out your closets this spring, NYSAR’s Housing Opportunities Foundation asks that you set aside items for the "It’s New to You" fundraiser. We are asking you to bring your clean, gently-used items to the Desmond during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings next February to be sold to attendees shopping in our couture store. Formal wear, business wear, smart casual clothing plus outerwear, shoes and accessories will be accepted. All proceeds will go directly to the foundation’s first-time homebuyer grant program. Click here for more information.

REALTOR Institute 409 – "Equal and Ethical Service" – will be offered April 16-17 at the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS in Albany, NY. This course fulfills the Code of Ethics training requirement for REALTOR membership and the fair housing training requirement for NYS license renewal.

Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered April 22 at the REALTOR Service Center in Riverhead, NY. This course teaches you the role and responsibilities of the appraiser in order to foster a smooth real estate transaction and offer your clients a higher level of professionalism. 

Click here for more information or to register.

The Housing our Military with Excellent Service (HOMES) course will be offered April 23-24 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS in Staten Island, NY. In this course, you’ll learn to identify the special housing needs and motivations of military personnel and veterans.

Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR wants to remind you to stay safe no matter where the job takes you. Members receive an exclusive discount that saves you 10 percent on the Guardly Mobile Safety App, which allows you to instantly connect with managers, colleagues, family and 9-1-1 when faced with safety concerns. 

Click here to learn more.

Through their partnership with Oncor Insurance Services, NYSAR’s insurance plan administrator USI Affinity offers you affordable, easy-to-acquire life insurance solutions to fit your needs and protect your income. With options from multiple carriers, you have access to competitive products including term-life, universal life and whole life insurance. There is no cost or obligation for a quote.

Call 866.347.5748 or visit www.MyREALTORInsurance.com/nysarto get started today.

Once again RPAC of NY will return to Citi Field to lend our support to the New York Mets. The event will be on Friday, April 25, and features a ticket to the game in the exclusive Party City Deck, located feet from the action in left field at field level. The Party City Deck offers bar stools and regular seats. Every ticket also includes complimentary food and beer service throughout the game! Contact Derick King, NYSAR political affairs coordinator, for complete details at dking@nysar.com or 518-463-0300 x238. Click here for a flyer with more information.

Spring has finally sprung and it’s time to bring your music outside! Brookstone’s wireless Bluetooth speaker will allow you to enjoy music from any Bluetooth-enabled device – from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or iPod for wireless, crystal clear sound. Bidding closes on Wednesday, April 16.

Click here to learn more.