The government is a touchy subject these days, as everyone from the left to the right of the politically minded country has a strong opinion on what our executive and legislative branches should or should not be doing. And commercial real estate has always kept an eye on what happens down in the District. Last week's GlobeSt.com Quick Poll pondered whether or not real estate leaders need more political involvement. While 38% of respondents espoused a more laissez-faire approach, 62% of readers felt their industry brethren needed to get more involved.

Robert Richards, president, Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, agrees with the majority pointing out at the RBJ, "we are big believers in monitoring policy decisions that impact our organization as well as our client partners. It is important we maintain an active voice with our politicians to be sure our voice is heard.

There is a necessity, he feels, to be an vocal member of their community. Recently, Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp., speaking to the Real Estate Board of New York voiced a similar point of view, challenging the industry—which he said accounts for about half the city’s $35-billion annual tax base—to use that clout to help bankroll candidates and wrest influence in Albany from the "public employee unions" that get lawmakers elected and re-elected in what many consider the nation’s most dysfunctional state legislature.