2011 AIA Austin_sm
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Design National Advocacy Trends and Opportunities Paul Mendelsohn Vice President, Government and Community Relations
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Transcript of 2011 AIA Austin_sm
Design National Advocacy Trends and Opportunities
Paul Mendelsohn
Vice President, Government and Community Relations
1. General Overview of AIA National Advocacy Program areas -department organization -2010/11 successes
2. Current Federal issue opportunities and challenges -Budget (Super Committee) -Transportation -Tax Reform -Jobs and the economy
3. The AIA's Rebuild and Renew effort (our federal agenda) -Access to credit -remove regulatory burdens -money for building retrofits -transportation
4. A look at the States - Practice Related Issues
5. Getting Involved- How to and why
NAC2009AnnualMee&ng Advocacy
One Powerful Voice in Government
The AIA represents the interests of architects before federal, state, and local governments and other policy-‐making bodies. This outreach, coupled with sustained member parDcipaDon and acDve involvement in the poliDcal process, enables the AIA to advocate on behalf of legislaDve, regulatory, and related issues important to AIA members.
Advocacy Overview • Government and Community RelaDons Team: IntroducDon,
roles, and responsibiliDes • 2010 Recap: Overview of Accomplishments • 2011 Issues Preview: Grassroots and Beyond • 2011 Advocacy CommiLee: Work, structure, and focus • The Advocacy Leadership ImperaDve: ArchiPAC, Outreach,
and CommunicaDon
NAC2009AnnualMee&ng
Advocacy: Roles & ResponsibiliDes
Advocacy
The Team
AIA GCR
Federal Relations Congressional Lobbying
Agency Relations
Federal Regulatory Federal Agencies
Procurement
Advocacy Outreach ArchiPAC
AIA Advocacy Center
State Relations Resource Development
State Government Network
Local Relations Local Government Network
Resource Development
Codes Building Codes (including the IgCC)
Sustainability
Design Center for Communities by Design
Design Assistance Teams
Other Areas Disaster Assistance
Civic Engagement
Federal RelaDons
The Federal RelaDons team works with Congress, the White House, and various agencies to educate government leaders and others about the profession and the AIA's policies, posiDons, and objecDves related to community development, livability, and the business and pracDce of architecture
Advocacy Outreach
The Advocacy Outreach team focuses on engaging members in the advocacy process. Specific tacDcs include sending acDon alerts, educaDng architects on how to be more effecDve advocates, and soliciDng support for ArchiPAC -‐ the AIA’s Federal poliDcal acDon commiLee
State RelaDons
The AIA’s State RelaDon’s team collaborates with components and members to promote the InsDtute's policies and posiDons, and provides strategic assistance and guidance on numerous legislaDve and regulatory issues that have an impact on architects.
Local RelaDons
The Local RelaDons team promotes the AIA's public policies and empowers local components to effecDvely manage their legislaDve and regulatory efforts.
Codes and Standards
The Codes and Standards team strives to ensure that architects are involved in the development of our naDon’s building codes and works with components on code adopDon at the state and local level.
Communi&es By Design
The Center for CommuniDes By Design is a catalyst, convener, and source of informaDon that helps AIA members work with ciDzens, businesses, public officials, and other stakeholders to envision and create more livable communiDes. Good design is an investment, and well-‐designed communiDes will aLract and benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, and meet the needs of present and future generaDons.
2009 – 2010 Recap
• Stopped a tax increase on s-corps • Federal Construction $ • Architect of the Capitol • Repeal of the 10% retainage • Construction Industry Mandate • McEmbassy • Energy Efficient Commercial
Building Deduction
Success on a wide range of business and practice issues Working with GSA and other agencies on design service procurement Working with USAID on issues related to Haiti
2009/2010 Recap: S-Corps
• A “pay-for” measure to close a tax loop-hole • John Edwards problem • No hearing – targeted to Architects, Lawyers,
Doctors, but not unlicensed services • Dead for the time being – but the loop-hole is still
there
2009/2010 Recap: 10% Retainage • Little known, seldom followed federal rule • Paul Renker, AIA of Florida brought it to the attention of
his regional director of the Board • AIA reviews, and takes on the issue • Congressional hearings, SBA takes notice • Rule is changed to be in line with other contracts
2011
ü!
2011 Current Issues: Credit
• HR 940 – United States Covered Bonds Act • HR 1356 – Credit Access for Main Street Act • Looking to promote other options
2011 Current Issues: Transportation
• Senator Barbara Boxer • Boxer – Inhoff: 2 year re-authorization • Mica Bill – 6 year re-authorization • Other proposals: Infrastructure Bank • Moving Communities Forward
2011 Current Issues: 179D
• Part of 2005 Energy Policy Act • Allow architects and other to take deduction in the
owner is a government • Extended to 2013 • More than a quarter of a billion firms have
received the deduction • Needs reform
2011 Current Issues: Super Committee • Deficit “Super Committee”
members announced: 3 each from House Rs, House Ds, Senate Rs, and Senate Ds
• Task: Must pass legislation reducing the budget deficit by at least $1.2 trillion by January 15, 2012 or automatic spending reductions go into effect.
• First “Super Committee”meeting: September 16
Source: www.money.cnn.com
2011 Current Issues: Super Committee
• Tax Reform • S-Corp Tax Change • Additional Construction Cuts • Dept. of Energy Cuts • Support to State and Local Governments
2011 Current Issues: Other
• CBECS Funding • Energy Codes • Foreign Markets
Future Issues
• Tax Reform
More to be worked on
National Trends
Looking Across the Country
• Profession under assault • Prototypical Schools • QBS / Procurement • Professional Services Taxes
Regulatory Changes
What can you do? And what no one else will do for you!
Why Grassroots Advocacy
• Architects can not depend on others
• Legislators for the most part do not understand the Design process and the architects role in it
• AIA has been doing this for more than 150 years
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances -- The First Amendment, to the Constitution of the United States of America
Tips Do • Feel good about what you are doing • Be friendly and respectful • Create a personal connection • Respect time and get to the point of the
meeting • Represent yourself and credentials • Ask for something • Be Relevant • Listen to Answers • Get to know the staff, they are your
connection to the office • Follow up
Don’t • Be put off due to time, staff, other things • Over state the facts • Get angry or be disappointed is the
politician doesn’t agree, ask for their prospective
• Discuss elections and campaign contributions – discuss policy
• Make demands or threats • Dance around the issue • Assume that your audience knows
anything about your issues
On-line Advocacy Tools AIA Advocacy Center – link at http://www.aia.org Support at [email protected] or [email protected] Sends quick messages, and help legislators understand that there is a constituency for an issue. Pre-addressed, pre-written, editable messages
Going to the Hill
Use Our STRENGTHS
Join the Winning Team
