This November, Florida and Sarasota County voters will face ballot questions with potential long-term impacts on property taxes, conservation lands, and how local tax dollars are used. Max Brandow breaks down the key issues REALTORS® should understand, including proposed property tax reform and two Sarasota County conservation measures, so members can head to the polls informed about more than just the candidates.
Learn which local candidates have earned RASM's endorsement for the 2026 election cycle and join us in celebrating members whose extraordinary commitment to RPAC advocacy has earned national recognition.
RPAC plays a vital role in protecting REALTORS® and the real estate industry. From legislative wins to upcoming events and ways to get involved, this update highlights how advocacy directly impacts your business—and how you can be part of it.
The 2026 Legislative Session brought important progress for Florida REALTORS®, from safeguarding professional standards to strengthening protections for property owners. Explore key wins, collaborative efforts, and what’s still to come.
What do elections have to do with housing? More than you think. Learn how REALTOR® advocacy and candidate endorsements influence policies on growth, affordability, and property rights—and why staying engaged at the ballot box matters for the future of homeownership in our community.
The U.S. House passed a bipartisan housing bill aimed at boosting supply and affordability, while RASM REALTORS® advocated in Tallahassee for policies supporting housing, property rights, and insurance reform—highlighting the impact of REALTOR® advocacy at both national and state levels.
Advocacy benefits more than REALTORS®. Discover how RPAC supports Business Partners and helps protect the business-friendly environment our industry depends on. See why companies like Sunshine Movers and Peace of Mind Home Inspections are stepping forward to strengthen real estate in our community.
As REALTORS®, advocacy is one of the most important member benefits your association delivers, and in 2025, RASM members showed exactly what is possible when REALTORS® come together with a shared purpose.
RASM members joined thousands of REALTORS® in the nation’s capital this week to promote policies that support homeownership, strengthen neighborhoods, and protect property rights.
Manatee County is proposing a 100%+ increase in impact fees on new homes—threatening housing affordability for future buyers. Learn what this means, why it matters, and how you can take action to protect homeownership.
Earlier this year, Manatee County introduced proposed regulations targeting short-term vacation rentals. At the Tuesday, May 6th Commission meeting, the Manatee County Commission chose not to move forward with the proposed regulations — a significant win for private property rights and responsible rental operators.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued an Emergency Rule to enhance transparency in the claims adjusting process for insurance consumers by requiring adjusters to identify and provide detailed explanations for any changes made to damage estimates.
The vacation rental rules that previously only applied to Sarasota city properties on barrier islands were recently expanded to apply to all vacation rentals (less than 30 days) in the City of Sarasota.
The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) was honored at the Florida REALTORS® Political Action Committee (PAC) Annual Awards on January 18 for achievements in PAC fundraising for 2023.
The Florida REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Major Investors are industry professionals whose goal is to promote homeownership for all and to protect REALTORS® from burdensome regulations.
At a recent Sarasota City Commission workshop, the Commission agreed to move forward with a plan to implement vacation rental regulation on all properties within Sarasota city limits.
The REALTOR® voice echoed loudly through the halls of Florida’s government, delivering more than $2 billion for members’ priorities and securing historic legislative wins for Realtors®, property owners, and the economy. The newly passed bills now go to Gov. Ron DeSantis and become law once he signs them.
The profound importance and powerful impact of NAR's advocacy work has become increasingly clear over the last several years. The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, which took place May 6 - 11, 2023 in Washington, DC, allow us to build on that ...
In March, I had the privilege of joining my fellow Realtors across the state of Florida for the annual Great American Realtor Days in Tallahassee. This trip offered us the chance to meet with our elected officials and advocate for important issues ...
Every year, REALTORS® throughout the state of Florida visit Tallahassee to directly lobby our state lawmakers on legislative issues that directly affect REALTORS® and homeowners. From March 29 – 31, leaders from the REALTOR® ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (October 24, 2022) - Sarasota's Comprehensive Land Use Plan cleared its final hurdle when Sarasota City Commissioners approved amendments to the plan in a 4-1 vote on October 17. The passage of these ordinances pertaining to the ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (January 24, 2022) – The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee was recognized with two RPAC awards at the recent Florida REALTORS® Mid-Winter Meetings in Orlando, hitting two major goals outlined by the state ...
By: Tony Veldkamp, 2022 RASM President Every year, REALTORS® throughout our state visit Tallahassee to directly lobby our state lawmakers on legislative issues that directly affect REALTORS® and homeowners. In February, leaders from the ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (January 27, 2021) - At last night’s Florida REALTORS® PAC Awards Presentation during the virtual Mid-Winter Business Meetings, the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee was recognized for their contributions to ...
In March 2019, RASM members ventured to Tallahassee, Fla. for Florida REALTORS's 2019 Great American REALTOR® Days (GARD). REALTORS® throughout the state met in Florida's capital to discuss important legislation affecting the real estate ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (April 12, 2018) – Leaders of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) attended a City of Holmes Beach, FL commission meeting in March to voice concerns against restrictions on formula businesses. Upon hearing ...
Despite a very tight state budget, REALTORS® and their communities throughout Florida are walking away from the 2018 session of the Florida Legislature with several key victories: a $31 million cut to the Business Rent Tax, $110 million for ...
SARASOTA, Fla. (March 15, 2018) – On March 14, REALTOR® Barry Grooms presented a testimony on the exclusion for mortgage debt cancellation. Grooms, a member of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM), testified on ...