Commercial Development PAC

The Commercial Development PAC (“CDPAC”) was formed by members of the Virginia Association for Commercial Real Estate (VACRE) to support candidates for statewide office and the Virginia General Assembly who are supportive of the commercial real estate industry in Virginia.  Candidates receiving contributions from the CDPAC are typically pro-growth and are supportive of the state’s economic development, establishment of a first-class educational system and an improved transportation network for Virginia .  In 2003, 24 of the 26 candidates that received contributions from the CDPAC were elected to the General Assembly.  The two candidates who were defeated were incumbents who lost to challengers that were openly anti-growth.

The CDPAC works to educate incumbents and challengers for office on matters pending before the Virginia General Assembly and the Executive Branch of Virginia State Government that are of importance to the commercial real estate industry.  These issues include opposition to anti-growth legislation, such as adequate public facilities (APF) proposals (that could be used to unreasonably restrict growth in Virginia and damage property rights), new local government impact fees (which could place an unreasonable tax burden on the industry), burdensome new environmental regulations or unreasonable increases in environmental permit fee.  The CDPAC also supports new investment in Virginia’s transportation system and its public schools, colleges and universities.   A major focus of the CDPAC in coming months will be to support candidates who recognize the need for new, dedicated funding sources for Virginia’s transportation system which has not seen a new source of revenue since 1986.

Candidates supported by the CDPAC not only serve on important standing committees of the General Assembly with jurisdiction over commercial real estate matters, such as the local government and environment committees, but they also serve on key General Assembly study committees.  These study committees include the Growth and Economic Development Commission, which has been studying APF and Impact Fee proposals, as well as the Housing Study Commission which has been considering legislation imposing new liability on landlords and employers for mold-related illnesses.

The CDPAC supports the efforts of VACRE in the General Assembly to oppose the growing anti-growth movement in Virginia.  In recent years some local governments have formed coalitions with environmental groups to promote an anti-growth agenda for Virginia.  Environmental groups have become active contributors to political candidates in recent years.  Anti-growth PACs have been formed and are being well-funded by individuals who support the anti-growth agenda.  The CDPAC serves as a counterweight to the growing influence of these anti-growth groups in Virginia government.

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