Politics & Government
Assemblywoman Meets With Local Realtors
"It has been good news in recent months to see California's housing picture brighten a little," said state Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, as she addressed realtors Tuesday in Murrieta.
State Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) spoke with more than 100 members of the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors on Tuesday, at the SRCAR Murrieta Grand Hall on Jefferson Avenue.
“As the state’s fastest growing area, the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors has an immediate impact on the direction of our community,” said Melendez, who represents Murrieta among other cities. “Realtors in California play an important role in helping to make the American dream of home ownership a reality for millions of people, and selling homes in Riverside County.”
While providing a legislative update, Melendez discussed her bills that have been signed by the governor, AB 813, election reform and the California Military Families Financial Relief Act of 2013, AB 526. AB 681, would require a court to consider domestic violence against a child when issuing an award of spousal support is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Of particular interest to the realtors is Senate Bill 30 which would allow taxpayers to continue to exclude mortgage forgiveness debt relief from their income for tax purposes through 2013. The bill stalled and Melendez said she’s hopeful it will be back for consideration when the legislature resumes in January.
Melendez noted between 2007 and 2011, more than 1.5 million Californians received notices of default on their homes. While Riverside County, one of the areas hit the hardest by the downturn in the housing market in recent years, notices of default were down more than 50 percent over the 12 months.
“It has been good news in recent months to see California’s housing picture brighten a little,” Melendez said. “Realtors have been on the front lines of helping people stay in their homes. I am hopeful that when the Legislature returns in January, We can quickly pass much-needed relief for homeowners and help realtors do their jobs.”
Of Melendez's visit, SRCAR Government Affairs Director Gene Wunderlich said: "I really enjoyed today's remarks by Assemblymember Melissa Melendez. Until you experience it directly you really can't appreciate the dysfunction in Sacramento. Melissa doesn't sugarcoat it and tells our members what to expect and why. We need this kind of honesty in our representatives and appreciate her willingness to do battle on our behalf."
—Contributed content
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