2016 Hill Day Series: NAR top lobbyist praises REALTOR® action

Kailey WaringAdvocacy, Events

Jerry Giovaniello, the chief lobbyist for the National Association of REALTORS®, praised REALTORS® in Washington for their engagement on important real estate issues. “You make my job easier in Washington D.C.” said Giovaniello, who travelled to Olympia to address over 400 REALTORS® from across the state, 55 from King County. “You are connected to your communities, you know the issues important to homeowners and you support the largest political action committee in the state. This helps us speak effectively on consumer housing issues,” he said.

Giovaniello has had a long career in the nation’s Capitol, having worked for both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. “That’s very hard to do now in today’s climate on the Hill,” he said.

Giovaniello, who is responsible for the REALTOR® federal advocacy agenda, outlined four key tax issues important to REALTORS® and consumers that remain in jeopardy.

  1. A change in or elimination of the Mortgage Interest Deduction
  2. Elimination of 1031 Tax exchanges, important to commercial real estate
  3. Changes to the Capital Gains exemption on the sale of a principal residence
  4. Elimination of the deduction for state and local taxes