Message From the CEO: COVID-19 Update
Louisiana REALTORS • March 16, 2020
LR Volunteer Leaders,
As I update you with this email on the COVID 19 Virus, the issues surrounding this pandemic continue to rapidly change and be very fluid! I first want to say that I hope everyone is safe and taking precautions and caring for those that need assistance. I also want to stress to everyone to be calm and keep up with the news and alerts.
It appears that there have been many closures/restrictions enacted by State Government/Federal Government and the legislature is looking at recessing until a later date. In light of these events and potentially other actions, the LR will have a very limited staff on site at the physical office. Our voice mail will give members information how to reach staff immediately to be able to get information on real estate issues and association services/programs as staff is equipped to work remotely just like being here in the LR office. Let me be clear that the LR staff is working and ready to help members on a moment’s notice!
The LR has postponed the following events to a later date:
LR Leadership Retreat
CCIM Energy Conference,
Louisiana IREM luncheon & live education courses,
Other events scheduled for a live setting
The LR Spring Into Action Conference will be rescheduled as we are waiting on the legislature and other event notices before we can release a final determination on when the meetings will occur, but we will be updating you on the new dates as soon as we can. As soon as we have a final plan for the Spring Into Action Conference we will work with all of you that have already registered and secured a hotel room.
I have asked Patty McMurray, our legal counsel to put together a best practice dealing with real estate transactions in light of issues surrounding the COVID 19 Virus, along with guidance for local associations on employment issues brought up by the situation. As soon as we have these memos we will forward to you this information. However, for your general needs at this time, Baker Donaldson has put together a Corona Virus Resource Center with articles, webinar recordings and links to keep you apprised of the changing landscape which can be found right below. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS LINK PLEASE EMAIL KIM CALLAWAY at kim@larealtors.org who will work with Baker Doneldson on facilitating answers to your questions.
Baker Donelson : What You Need to Know
As soon as the President signs into law a stimulus package, we will forward this information out to the membership on how this legislation may affect or help independent contractors and broker-owners and their employees. Please stay safe and know we will come out of this event stronger than ever!!
Other resources for coronavirus information:
CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Candidate qualifying for Louisiana’s November 3 election began Wednesday, August 5, and concludes Friday, August 7. The three-day qualifying period will establish the candidates for all six U.S. House districts, as well as judicial, parish and municipal races across the state. This election cycle includes several changes to Louisiana’s congressional races and election calendar. The state’s U.S. House primaries, originally scheduled for May 16, were canceled following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The Louisiana Legislature subsequently adopted a new congressional map that reduced the number of Black-majority congressional districts from two to one. Under the revised election calendar, the November 3 U.S. House contests will use an open primary system. All qualified candidates will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party affiliation. A candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote will be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to a December 12 runoff. U.S. Senate The November general election will feature Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. Letlow's Senate campaign has also created an open seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. 5th Congressional District Several candidates have announced campaigns for the 5th Congressional District seat: State Sen. Stewart Cathey State Rep. Michael Echols Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell State Rep. Gabe Firment Cathey, Echols and Firment currently serve in the Louisiana Legislature. Additional candidates may qualify before the deadline on Friday. The 5th District covers portions of northeastern and central Louisiana and extends into the Florida Parishes. 6th Congressional District Congressman Cleo Fields has announced that he will not seek reelection in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District. Instead, Fields is running in a special election for his former state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District extends around the Baton Rouge area and includes portions of rural communities surrounding the capital region. State Sen. Rick Edmonds has announced his candidacy. State Sen. Blake Miguez has also been discussed as a potential candidate, although the candidate field will not be finalized until qualifying closes Friday. Federal law requires congressional candidates to reside in the state they seek to represent but does not require them to reside within the specific congressional district. 2nd Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter currently represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends from the Baton Rouge area toward New Orleans. Under the newly adopted congressional map, the 2nd District remains Louisiana's sole Black-majority congressional district. East Baton Rouge Parish Judiciary All 15 judgeships on the 19th Judicial District Court are scheduled for election following the Legislature's creation of two new judicial election subdistricts. Each subdistrict will elect seven judges, with an additional judgeship elected parishwide. Litigation challenging the new judicial map remains pending. Judicial races are among the contests being monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® and local Political Action Teams. Judicial decisions can have implications for property rights, business activity, litigation and the overall legal environment in Louisiana. Local Elections Voters across Louisiana will also consider candidates for mayors, city and parish councils, school boards, police chiefs and other local offices. While these races typically receive less statewide attention than congressional and statewide contests, local elected officials make decisions affecting land use, zoning, permitting, infrastructure, taxation and housing policy. These issues can directly affect real estate activity and development within local communities. Candidate Lists and Election Information The candidate field will not be final until qualifying closes Friday, August 7. The official list of qualified candidates is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Candidate Inquiry portal. The complete election schedule, including key dates for voting, registration and absentee ballots, is available through the Secretary of State's election calendar. For Louisiana REALTORS®, the qualifying period provides an early look at the candidates who will appear on the November ballot and the races that may affect real estate, property rights, development and local communities across the state.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will elect six (6) LR At-Large Directors at its October 1st meeting. Qualifications and an application for the position can be found below.
From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple recognizes fire districts that have received improved fire ratings since last year. Improved fire ratings lead to reduced fire insurance premiums for property owners in the associated area. “Improved fire protection ratings demonstrate the hard work and dedication of fire departments and community leaders. These improvements make homes and communities safer and can reduce fire insurance premiums,” Commissioner Temple said. “Some premium reductions are more than others, but any improvement to the safety and resilience of our communities is a win for everyone.” Fire protection grading is promulgated by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. All fire districts are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 by PIAL, with 10 representing no fire protection and 1 representing the best level of protection. The PIAL considers several factors when determining a district’s grading, including the number of dispatchers on duty, the number of firefighters and fire trucks and the availability of water. “I’m extremely proud of the Louisiana Fire Service,” said Department of Public Safety Principal Assistant Chief Bryan J Adams. “They continue to step up, work hard and deliver exceptional service to protect our community. As we partner with them through training and the enrollment support they need to succeed, you can expect continued results like this. Our office is committed to staying at the forefront of collaboration with the Louisiana Fire Service—because we’re truly One Team.” Policyholders in the affected areas should contact their insurance producer if they have questions about how fire rating improvements may affect their fire insurance premiums. The average annual premium reduction examples below are calculated for a brick masonry home with an HO-3 policy insured for $250,000, with a $500 deductible.
