Maryland General Assembly Website... Are you wondering if there is an easy way to find out what's going on in Annapolis during this legislative session? If your connected to the Internet, the General Assembly is just a mouse click away! The Maryland General Assembly Website has access to all pending legislation as well as past legislation, committee meeting schedules, the names and addresses of all state Delegates and Senators, as well as web links to other Maryland Government Sites. The address is http://mlis.state.md.us, or you can log on to the Government Affairs section of the MAR website (www.mdrealtor.org) to find the General Assembly Website and other important information sources.

Government Affairs In-Brief
April 30, 2008

City of Frederick to Hold Community Forum on Foreclosures
The City of Frederick will hold a public meeting for Frederick and Washington County homeowners that will offer community and individual strategies for dealing with foreclosure. The forum will be held on Monday, May 5 from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, located at 20 W. Patrick Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to: Speak one-on-one with professional counselors who can help owners in distress work through the foreclosure process, learn what protections homeowners have, and what residents can do to help the community stem the tide of foreclosures, find out what the federal, state and local governments are doing to help, and meet with nonprofit representatives and learn about locally available programs. Admission is free and open to the public.

County Seeks Public Input on Comprehensive Plan--REALTORS® Urged to Complete On-line Survey and Attend Open Houses
As required by Maryland law, Frederick County is in the process of revisiting its comprehensive plan, a "big picture" policy document intended to guide development in the County over the long-term. As part of its revision process, the Frederick County Planning Department has created an on-line survey to learn about residents' priorities for growth in the County. Please take a few minutes to provide your input about the future of our County.

Click here to take the survey, which will be on-line until mid-June. Paper copies will be available at the open houses detailed below, or by request to the Planning Department.

The survey is part of an outreach effort that includes open houses to be held around the county in May. The open houses will provide information on the County's comprehensive plan update process, timeline, and background information. There will not be formal presentations at the open houses, but staff will be available to answer questions.

Planning Department Open House Dates and Locations:

May 8: Thurmont Middle School
May 12: Tuscarora High School
May 15: Oakdale Middle School
May 22: Middletown High School

All of the open houses will be held from 5 pm - 8 pm.

Status of State Legislation Available on MAR Web site
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die in early April. The Maryland Association of REALTORS® has produced a summary of key real estate legislation considered this session in Annapolis. Click here to find out which bills passed, failed, or did not receive consideration by the legislature in 2008. Many bills passed this session take effect as early as July 2008.

We Need You! Learn More About NAR's Government Affairs Agenda
The National Association of REALTORS® provides "one-click" opportunities for REALTORS® to get informed and advocate on federal issues relating to housing and real estate. Sign up for NAR's REALTOR® Action Center to receive legislative alerts and participate in Calls to Action to Congress. Subscribe to newsletters on key federal regulatory and policy issues. Go here for more information and how you can help. Remember, there is strength in numbers!

For more information contact Tamar Osterman, Tamar Osterman, Government Affairs Director, 301-639-5555 or tamar.osterman@gmail.com.