Commercial mortgage group spent $100,000 lobbying
Commercial Mortgage Securities Assn. spent $100,000 in second quarter lobbying government
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Commercial Mortgage Securities Association, which represents buyers and sellers of investments backed by commercial real estate loans, spent $100,000 to lobby in the second quarter, according to a recent disclosure form.
The New York-based trade group lobbied on accounting and tax issues, reform of credit rating agencies, financial system regulation, mortgage-related securities, terrorism and flood insurance, according to a July 18 filing with the House clerk’s office.
Commercial real estate groups, along with hedge funds and private equity interests, have lobbied against efforts to raise taxes on profits by investment partnerships to as much as 35 percent from 15 percent. They contend such an increase would weaken real estate markets nationwide, while supporters say it is unfair for real estate and private equity partnerships to pay a lower rate than other companies.
The association’s nearly 400 members include BlackRock Inc., Wachovia Corp. and UBS AG.
Besides lawmakers, the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association lobbied the Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
