This bill was introduced and written to protect homeowners
in these groups!
Please read what is written below. It is despicable
that our lawmakers have apparently forgotten who they work for and who they are
paid and empowered to protect.
When the industry comes to steal,
possibly take using any criminality they can think of, what these
legislators and their families and friends own, I guess they will get it!
This appears to be everywhere and should have been stopped a
very long time ago. Too many innocent people and families are homeless
due to no fault of their own, but the "influence," of a select few.
Finally, I got word directly and in writing from
a legislator on how and why the
Transfer Fee Bill was gutted by the CAI and how CAI misinformation was
spread and digested as a solution. This exemplifies what most already
suspected about our government process and why citizens don't get
involved in their government. It illustrates that principles and standing
ground on what is right have no place in some folks standards of
governance. Here it is:
1. The CAI told representatives that
if the Bill included fee limits or restrictions on use of the fee they would
kill the Bill and it better be changed. So the CAI indicates it owns our
representatives and they won't tolerate anyone going against their greedy
principles. Well it worked and it was that simple. What
happened to the thousands of emails and scores of telephone calls and personal
visits by citizens on this issue?
a
2. Our legislative sponsors never considered
sticking with the orginal intent of the Bill and letting it stand on its' own
merits after being threatened by the CAI. The sponsors had no faith in
their fellow representatives to do the right thing and reform transfer fees and
assumed all legislators can be bullied by the CAI. We'll never know
if they were right. Do any of these folks believe it is better to lose on
principles and trying to do the right thing than to bend to money interests?
2. Legislators were instructed to change
the Bill so that oversight would involve property management
companies (PMCs) negotiating with HOA Boards to determine the proper
amount and use of the transfer fee. Let the bank
robber be the bank guard or the fox look out for the well being of the
chickens. This outright discussion took place and seemed ok with our
legislators. It would be an insulting recommendation in the real world
but in politics it made perfect sense. These folks have no idea that HOAs
are run by PMCs and that any fee proposed will be approved.
3. The CAI told legislators that a PMC
will honestly brief Boards and home owners on the truth about why the fee
is so high and required and be open to debate the amount. This is
not only a lie but ridiculous and insulting to think anyone would believe this
but the CAI found a crowd at the Capitol who believes this crap (this is
the proper word).
4. The CAI told legislators DORA will monitor
unreasonable transfer fees and fine those abusing the fee. A big
lie. DORA has no authority to do this and won't take on the issue.
This has nothing to do with licensing but legislators continue to drink the CAI
tea and believe this.
5. The Bill of course will not address the illegal use
of the fee by CAMs to supplement income and profits and allow for low bidding
on contracts. Why, the CAI told legislators this doesn't happen and
would never happen so it was not addressed in the Bill. It was that
simple.
So here you have it, the evolution and death of a well
intended Transfer Fee Bill. This whole Bill and CAI influence is
toxic to our government process, filled with lies, and once again illustrates
why our government is alienated from our citizens. Now take a deep breath but
be assured if this piece of trash legislation passes this year we will be back
next year to get reform.
--
Stan
Hrincevich
Colorado HOA Forum
