by Perry Pillow, FWAA Vice President of Government Affairs
Like many FWAA members, I am determined to be healthier in 2025. Exercise more, eat better, and get proper rest—the standard new year, new me resolution. In my quest for a healthy lifestyle, I am overwhelmed by the quantity of dietary supplements and vitamins promising improvements to metabolism, mood, sleep, energy, and mental clarity. From fish oil to magnesium and calcium to protein, vitamins cover the entire alphabet: B, C, D, & E!
When in doubt, I go with B12! Vitamin B12 is the most chemically complex of all vitamins. B12 occurs naturally in animals and is essential for a healthy lifestyle.
Similarly, healthy advocacy depends on many factors: people, processes, policies, politics, etc. FWAA’s advocacy efforts are healthy and thriving: 1) we enter 2025 with more than $134,000 in the FWAA PAC; 2) longtime FWAA member Craig Goldman (R – TX 12) was elected to Congress; and 3) discussions are underway to modify the Saginaw rental inspection program. But significant challenges are on the horizon: 1) the 2025 legislature session, 2) the Fort Worth city elections, and 3) the new leadership in Washington.
For FWAA’s advocacy to thrive in 2025, FWAA members and staff will need some B12. This year, Pillow Talk explores twelve personal attributes to help you improve your advocacy. We begin with: Be Aggressive!
“Be Aggressive” sounds like a high school football cheer or, perhaps, a negative character trait; but aggressively pursuing our industry’s goals (low tax, private property rights, low regulation, and abundant housing for all) leads to a thriving, healthy economy.
Politics is a rough-and-tumble, full-contact sport. Proactively advocating for eviction reform, judicial adherence to the law, and lower taxes, as well as strongly opposing rent control, frivolous inspections, and unnecessary government mandates, FWAA members passionately care about their residents, their assets, and, most importantly, their neighborhoods.
Start 2025 by taking a dose of “be aggressive.”
2025 TEXAS LEGISLATURE – The 140-day 2025 Texas Legislature Session began January 14th and ends June 2nd. The Texas Apartment Association (TAA) expects more than 10,000 bills to be filed during the session. TAA is currently tracking more than 200 bills that impact our industry. FWAA’s voice is strong with TAA: FWAA Treasurer Nicole Zaitoon serves on the TAA Legislative Committee; FWAA Past President Cayce Coon is TAA Secretary; and FWAA Past President Patty Utley in a TAA Vice President At-Large. To better understand how the Texas Legislature functions, click on the following link: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/13/texas-legislature-2025-bills-laws-how-works/–
TAA DAYS AT THE CAPITOL – FEBRUARY 4TH & 5th – FWAA leaders will be meeting with FWAA service-area state senators and state representatives during TAA’s Days at the Capitol on February 4th and 5th. Issues to be discussedinclude squatters, eviction process integrity, property taxes, and various affirmative and adverse landlord-tenant issues.
FORT WORTH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS FILING PERIOD—All eleven Fort Worth city council members, including the Mayor, are up for reelection in the May 3rd municipal elections. The candidate filing period begins January 15th and ends February 14th. Longtime FWAA friend Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens is not seeking reelection; however, Mayor Parker and all other incumbents are expected to file for reelection.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FWAA PAC – FWAA advocacy efforts depend on all our members doing their part to support candidates that align with FWAA’s interest financially. Please https://form.jotform.com/220464310148143Perry Pillow is FWAA’s Vice President of Government Affairs. For more information, contact Perry at perry@livefw.org or call 817-701-6353.
