Political Endorsements and Elections
By now, you may feel tapped out on all the election talk, tired of the TV ads and ready to move beyond Nov. 5th. However, when they say “it all comes down to Pennsylvania” they aren’t blowing smoke. Pennsylvania holds 19 electoral college votes and polling results are tied, well within the margin of error. This election could be one of the most historic we’ve ever seen. So yes, your vote, does in fact matter a great deal.
Which candidates on Philadelphia’s 2024 General Election ballots, are endorsed by the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC)?
We’ve announced endorsements in key state and federal races. To review our endorsed candidates list and other important election day information please check out the GPAR Voter’s Guide.
GPAR Takes a Stand on Rental Pricing Software Bill
In August, the Department of Justice announced a multi-state lawsuit against RealPage Inc. for its unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing and to monopolize the market for commercial revenue management software that landlords use to price apartments. As the DOJ lawsuit was announced publicly, San Francisco passed an ordinance banning algorithmic rental pricing tools like RealPage and bars landlords from utilizing privately acquired market data in the determination of rental unit prices.
Following in San Francisco’s footsteps, Philadelphia at-large city councilman O’Rourke introduced Bill #240823 amending Chapter 9-800 (“Landlord and Tenant”) to add prohibitions and penalties related to anti-competitive rental practices, all under certain terms and conditions. The initial bill exceeded San Francisco’s restrictions, as it would have banned the consideration of both private and public rental market data in determination of rental unit pricing (with or without the use of a rental revenue management software or algorithmic pricing tool).
The GPAR Government Affairs Committee reviewed the bill and cited a variety of concerns including the fast tracked timeline for adoption, overall enforceability, impact on affordability and competition in the marketplace, appraisals and lending requirements, access to capital for future development projects, etc. GPAR submitted public testimony before the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless; outlining our opposition to the bill. After weeks of discussion, the bill sponsor agreed to vital amendments. City Council passed the amended bill on October 24th, less than a month after it was introduced. Philadelphia becomes the second city in the nation to pass local restrictions on algorithmic rent pricing tools and the use of private data in evaluation of rental unit prices. Read our testimony here.
Keeping You Engaged & Informed
Upcoming
PAR Advocacy Opportunities
- Nov. 5 at 10:00 AM – “Should You Run for Local Office” the first installment of PAR’s 2024-2025 Campaign School, a FREE virtual series dedicated to helping REALTORS® run for office and win elections.
- Nov. 15 at 10:00 AM – “Elections Recap & Legislative Process” Learn the ins and outs of Pennsylvania’s legislative process and receive a recap of the 2024 general election from PAR’s Advocacy Managers Jeff Dempsey and Marcus Huertas.
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