Realtors, homebuilders discuss ‘damaging’ tax bill with Shaheen

Senator’s roundtable focuses on removal of state, local tax deduction

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen heard concerns from representatives of New Hampshire real estate and construction industries about how proposals in the Republican tax bill could affect their businesses.

The Londonderry roundtable – which included representatives from the National Association of Realtors, the NH Association of Realtors and the NH Home Builders Association – focused on the proposed elimination of the state and local tax deduction, which 204,000 Granite State homeowners use to deduct property taxes, and other provisions that Shaheen said could harm homeownership.

“The repeal of the state and local tax deduction is especially damaging to the middle class here in New Hampshire,” said Shaheen. “This will hurt homeownership and decrease home values. It is unfair to ask Granite State homeowners to pay for steep corporate tax cuts. I am eager to work with Republicans and Democrats to genuinely reform the tax code, but we need a bill that puts the middle class first and helps grow our economy.”

Among the people who met with the senator were: Arlene Hajjar, Masiello Group; Heather Colbert, Pater Real Estate Management; Jennifer Frost, Keller Williams; Karen Ahern, Masiello Group; Claudia Charbonneau, Masiello Group; Stephanie Colbert, Pater Real Estate; John Conley, Masiello Group; Dick Dumez, Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty; Bev Brooks, RE/MAX On The Move; Mark Soltys, Masiello Group; Ted Prizio, Prizio Realty; Roz Prizio, Granite State South Board of Realtors; Paula Martin, Keller Williams; Gerry O'Connell, Keller Williams; Lynette Rogers, NH Homebuilders; Patti Keman    RE/MAX On The Move; Mark Oswald, Masiello Group; Stacy Knight, Granite State South Board of Realtors; Bob Quinn, NH Association of Realtors; and Tom Riley,  National Association of Realtors.