BOMA/Suburban Chicago leaders joined with BOMA members from across the nation to bring commercial real estate's message to Capitol Hill lawmakers as part of BOMA´s National Issues Conference (NIC), February 2-3 in Washington, D.C.  They were there to express the need to extend the 15-year depreciation period for tenant improvements and to enact important incentives to promote energy efficiency.

The conference also allowed BOMA/Suburban's delegates to analyze and discuss issues, hear presentations by members of Congress and the media, and actively support their profession by visiting Congressional offices for one-on-one meetings with their elected officials.

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), co-chair of the Senate Real Estate Caucus, addressed BOMA members during the "How to Take our Message to Capitol Hill” session, telling attendees that job creation and a strong commercial real estate industry go hand-in-hand. Cardin also spoke about the current tax deductions for energy improvements, saying they are important but noted, “we need to improve it [the deduction] and make it more realistic with actual costs.”

During the General Session sponsored by AlliedBarton Security Services, keynote speaker Charlie Cook, publisher of the Cook Political Report and columnist for the National Journal, offered insight into the tumultuous political climate in Washington. Cook referred to independents as the largest and most influential political group, coining independents as “purple America” and suggesting that they look to sway heavily Republican in the 2010 elections.  Photo: Charlie Cook

Attendees also heard from Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) a, co-chair of the Senate Real Estate Caucus, and Representative Danny Davis (D-Ill.). Isakson told attendees that cap and trade is essentially dead in the U.S. Senate and that “tax treatments that incentivize business are needed.”   Photo: Sen. Isakson

During Capitol Hill visits, BOMA/Suburban delegates visited the offices of Representatives Judy Biggert (R-13th), Bill Foster (D-14th),Mark Kirk (R-10th), Peter J. Roskam (R-6th), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-9th), and Senator Richard J. Durbin (D) to inform their elected officials about real estate's concerns.  "Our visit to Capitol Hill is the best opportunity for BOMA/Suburban and real estate to speak out forcefully about the issues that are of greatest concern to our industry," said BOMA/Suburban President Sue Anderson.  Photo: From the left, Steve Hrbek, John Lambrecht, Rep. Peter Roskam, Patricia Schwarze.

In addition to Anderson, the BOMA/Suburban Chicago delegate included Vice President Steve Hrbek, RPA; Secretary-Treasurer Deborah Pyznarski, RPA; Immediate Past President John Lambrecht, RPA; Government Affairs Chairman Lance Knez, RPAl and Executive Director Patricia Schwarze.

The National Issues Conference is an annual opportunity for local associations to supplement the day-to-day contact that BOMA's Washington DC staff has with those who are making decisions that impact the commercial real estate industry.