The timing couldn't have been better as Texas Realtors gathered in the state capitol of Austin to witness the defeat of a bill they were against. It would have been nice if the state's homeowners had been there to witness agents in action on their behalf.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® hosted more than 1,000 Realtors from all over the state who were participating in the organization's "2005 Legislative Hill Visits" at the Texas Capitol on April 12. The visits are designed to give Realtors an opportunity to express their views directly to state lawmakers.

The day began with a resolution sponsored by Sen. John J. Carona (R-Dallas), which was passed by the Texas Senate, honoring the contributions Texas REALTORS® have made to the state. The announcement was greeted by thunderous applause from the Senate gallery, which was filled to capacity with Texas Realtors. The Realtors later met with their local legislators and staff throughout the day, to discuss issues important to the organization, and enjoyed a barbeque lunch on the Capitol grounds.

Texas Realtors are concerned about mounting property taxes. Texas ranks 45th out of 50 states in homeownership rates, and the Realtors were hoping to get appraisal cap legislation defeated and a low-rate business activity tax which would be paid by all Texans instead of homeowners.

While the House was in session and the Realtors in attendance, House Joint Resolution 35, the appraisal cap legislation, which Realtors felt would help some homeowners while harming others, was defeated in a test vote in the Texas House. The Realtors hope that House Bill 1006 , also known as the Truth in Taxation Bill, which would require taxing authorities to garner voter approval before raising tax rates by more than a particular percentage, will prevail.

"HB 1006 would fix the underlying cause of appraisal creep," says the organization's web site, "Truth About Texas Taxes" . "The bill allows for no more than three percent annual revenue growth by local taxing entities, unless voters approve exceeding the three percent cap. For example, if a city council decided it needed funding over and above three percent annual revenue growth, the city would be required to hold an election asking voters for permission to exceed the three percent cap."

Also before legislators were other topics of concern to Texas Realtors, which include a proposed real estate transfer tax and its negative implications for Texas homeowners, tax on services, insurance reform and mortgage finance. The Realtors are also concerned about the appraisal process, which gives homeowners little chance to contest or appeal, which means they support SB 1351 , which reforms the appraisal review process in Texas.

Texas Realtors have been an effective lobbying group for Texas homeowners. The group was also behind the House Bill 2, which provided $3 billion in additional funding for Texas schools, and House Bill 3 which cut school property taxes by one-third, the largest property tax cut in Texas history.

Among the reasons for the organization's support of these bills, and others, is Texas' homeownership levels. While the nation enjoys 68 percent homeownership, Texas ranks 45th out of 50 states.

"For every dollar spent on a home purchase, another three more dollars are pumped into the Texas economy," says the Realtor Website. "We're against replacing one kind of property tax with another. Placing additional taxes on real estate and dragging down the heart of the Texas economy would be incredibly foolish."

How are Texas Realtors so effective? They have a professional lobbying group that is involved in "political fund-raising, grassroots communications, and professional lobbying" and maintains an "issues mobilization fund" (the Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee or IMPAC), funded by Realtor dues. The people and money swing into action when situations occur, like the recent homeowners' insurance debacle in which major carriers suddenly stopped writing homeowner policies in Texas, and scream for reform.

As proud Texans and homeowners, the senior staff of Realty Times wishes to express sincere appreciation and thanks to the Texas Association of Realtors.