October 19, 2006                           Contact: Stephanie Spooner
News Release                                 Tel:  202-626-1047

For Immediate Release                    Email: sspooner@icsc.org

Senator Tim Bee of Arizona Awarded “REAGS Policy Maker of the Year”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 19, 2006) – Senator Tim Bee (R-Dist 30, Ariz.) has been named “Policy Maker of the Year” by the Real Estate Advocacy Group for States (REAGS). The honor, awarded yearly to only one legislator nationwide, will be presented to Sen. Bee at the Council of State Governments (CSG) annual conference at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Creek Resort in Phoenix, Ariz. on Dec. 2, 2006. “Senator Bee was a champion last session of the largest tax cut in state history, which included the passage of significant property tax relief and reform to protect residents and business owners,” Tim Lawless, president of the Arizona Chapter of NAIOP, said. “We applaud his selection to receive this prestigious national award.”

Former winners of the “REAGS Policy Maker of the Year” award include Utah State Senator Al Mansell (2004) and Delaware State Representative Donna Stone (2005).

As a business owner and majority leader of the State Senate, Sen. Bee played a significant role in shaping the state’s budget to include property and income tax cuts, additional moneys for infrastructure and transportation improvements and the development of new biotechnologies. In addition, Sen. Bee invited members of the development community to regular meetings to openly discuss issues impacting the industry.

“The Arizona development community is grateful for Senator Tim Bee’s hard work,” Steve Helm, chair of the Arizona ICSC Government Relations Committee, said. “He genuinely has the best interests of our state at heart.”

Sen. Bee has served in the Arizona legislature since 2000 and took over the seat from his brother, Keith Bee. Collectively they have held the seat for 16 years. REAGS is a coalition of real estate and professional trade associations that have an interest in government relations at the state level. The group includes the following member organizations

• Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA)
• International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
• Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)
• National Apartment Association (NAA)
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
• National Association of Realtors (NAR)
• National Multi Housing Council (NMHC)

For more information, visit www.reags.org