Issues & AdvocacyIssues & Advocacy

Contact | Federal Relations | State Relations | Communities by Design |
Local Relations | Advocacy Center | Advocacy365

Spurred by strong lobbying from AIA members, opponents of a proposed tax increase on architecture and other professional services S corporations succeeded in blocking the proposal from passing the Senate last week.

On June 24, Senators blocked advancing a so-called “extenders” bill from further consideration. It was the third time the Senate tried and failed to advance the bill. Section 413 of the bill would subject earnings by professional services S corporations “if 80 percent or more of the gross income of such business is attributable to service of 3 or fewer shareholders.” Although supporters of the provision argue that it would close a loophole that allows some S corporations to avoid paying payroll taxes, the AIA and other professional associations have argued that it would punish small, service-oriented businesses around the nation that follow the rules.

Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and John Ensign (R-NV) offered an amendment to remove Section 413 from the bill. In fact, Snowe indicated that Senate leaders had promised her the provision would be removed from the bill but was told at the last minute that other Senators wanted it to remain. Snowe took to the Senate floor prior to the vote to denounce the provision, saying that while she supported numerous provisions in the bill, “It is a matter of practicality and reasonableness that we get it right and not force more taxes on the very entities we depend on to create the jobs people deserve in America today to go back to work and to support their foundation of financial security rather than removing it.”

AIA members have sent nearly 12,000 messages to Capitol Hill voicing opposition to the provision, and AIA Maine members met with key Snowe staff members in Maine to express their concerns over the provision.

On June 29, Senate leaders introduced a slimmed-down version of the extenders bill that focused mostly on extending unemployment insurance; this bill lacked the S corporation tax provision. However, the bill was blocked from further consideration June 30 when Senate leaders failed to secure 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. As a result, the Senate will not take up unemployment insurance until after their July 4^th recess.

Most observers believe that supporters of the S corporation tax increase will try to advance it again in some fashion, either this year or later. The AIA is continuing to work with its allies to reform the provision to ensure it only affects those who are purposely avoiding paying payroll taxes while protecting tax-compliant organizations.

For more information on the proposal and the AIA’s efforts to oppose it, click here.

For additional information, contact Andrew Goldberg, senior director, Federal Relations, or Cooper Martin, manager, Federal Research and Policy Development.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking governing sustainable performance standards for new and renovated federal buildings. The new rules were required in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act and will relate to standards for life cycle cost effectiveness of federal facilities as well as sustainable siting, design, construction, water conservation and energy efficiency. The new rules also will provide federal agencies criteria for use of green ratings and certification systems.

DOE is accepting comments on the rule until July 27. For more information, click here.

For additional information, contact Andrew Goldberg, senior director, Federal Relations.

The federal government spends more than $3 billion on design and construction annually, offering architects countless contracting opportunities. To help architects navigate this lucrative design marketplace, the AIA hosts the Federal Agency Connection (FAC) each year during the annual National Convention and Design Exposition. The FAC provides a series of continuing education seminars, presented by public- and private-sector experts on how to make the most of this contracting opportunity. The presentations from the 2010 participating agencies have now been posted to the website.

For additional information Billie Kaumaya, manager, Federal Regulatory Relations.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) held its County Forum on the Green Economy in Chicago June 17-18. This conference explored ways in which counties could encourage and promote the greening of their economies. The conference focused on counties’ roles in economic and workforce development through energy conservation and efficiency; local food systems; green technology; and sustainable community design and development.

Paul Mendelsohn, AIA National’s vice president of Government and Community Relations, spoke to the latter in a panel discussion centered on design and planning decisions made by county governments and how these decisions can either attract or deter businesses from relocating to communities. Also represented among the panelists were the U.S. Green Building Council and an Oakland County, Michigan commissioner.

Mendelsohn’s presentation described the benefits of green infrastructure and good urban design – such as corridor revitalization – and, specifically, the AIA’s SDAT program. An accompanying article to the presentation recently ran in NACo’s County News.

Architects are working to design greener, more economically vibrant communities, and attendees at the forum indicated very strong interest in working with architects and AIA chapters to create economic opportunities related to sustainable design.

For more information, contact Brooks Rainwater, director, Local Relations.

On June 18, AIA Michigan members joined together to host a successful “Breakfast of Champions” fundraising event benefitting a state representative who supports small businesses and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

By hosting the breakfast for State Rep. Pam Byrnes (D-52), a candidate for the 18th Senate District, the group of architects and members of the design and construction industry discussed important topics for the state and issues likely to arise in the next legislative session.

Byrnes – who chairs the House Transportation Committee and who is a member of the House Regulatory and Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committees – understands the critical role of licensed design professionals in the built environment. Because of her consistent support and action, 12 architects and 10 engineers supported the event. These events are being held by AIA chapters across the country to bring together individual AIA members and allied professionals to make a big difference for those elected officials supporting our industry and our key issues.

For more information, contact Hannah Wesolowski, manager, Political Programs.

After a successful launch at this year’s AIA Convention, the ArchiPAC Alumni Challenge will be extended through July 15. The Challenge, which raised more than $12,000 during the three-day annual meeting, is an opportunity for AIA members to support not only ArchiPAC, but also their alma maters by offering several scholarship contributions as the prizes for the top three schools.

By the end of Convention June 12, the University of Notre Dame had slipped past Auburn University into the first-place position. Recognizing the school’s win during the first part of the Challenge at Convention, ArchiPAC will guarantee that Notre Dame’s architecture school will receive at least a $250 scholarship contribution. However, Notre Dame can try to maintain its momentum and retain the top spot, which has a prize of $1,000. The second-place school will win $500, with the third-place school securing a $250 contribution.

“What’s a better incentive than helping ArchiPAC and helping your school?” asked Don Brown, AIA, 2010 ArchiPAC chair. Brown and other members of AIA leadership are urging AIA members to reach out to their classmates, alumni listservs, and school message boards to encourage more AIA member participation in the Challenge. The winning schools also will receive a letter that acknowledges which alumni participated in the Challenge and made the scholarship gifts possible.

For more information on ArchiPAC, the AIA’s only federal political action committee, and to see updates on the Challenge standings, visit www.archipac.org.

ArchiPAC relies solely on voluntary contributions from AIA members and staff. Contributions to ArchiPAC will not be used to fund the scholarship donations.

For more information, contact Hannah Wesolowski, manager, Political Programs.

Thomas Stelling, AIA, a Burlington, Wisconsin-based architect, entrepreneur, and local leader, is running for State Assembly on a platform of economic recovery, increasing job opportunities, and business retention and attraction. Furthermore, he believes strongly that the built environment needs to be stimulated, because it creates jobs and benefits the local economy.

Stelling will face six other candidates in a primary this September.

“After 34 years in the profession I felt it was time to apply my life experiences and all that I have learned in business toward the improvement of Wisconsin’s business environment,” said Stelling. “Architects are schooled in the analysis process and, as practitioners, we use those skills to reach goals set by our clients and those we serve, working within the rules, codes and ordinances. Serving in the State Assembly is an extension of our honed talents. I encourage others to do the same.”

Stelling says that being an architect gives him the unique leadership ability to look at an issue from all perspectives, analyze problems strategically, and define options that achieve desired outcomes.

Stelling began his architectural career in 1976 and has operated his own architecture practice since 1980. Stelling has been civically engaged for over three decades and currently, he serves as chair of the Burlington Historic Preservation Commission and as a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For more information, contact Brooks Rainwater, director, Local Relations.

The Initiatives Subcommittee of the Board Advocacy Committee (BAC), chaired by David Del Vecchio, AIA, has begun reaching out to groups within the organizational structure of the AIA in an effort to advance the full committee’s objective of creating a peer-to-peer network within the Institute.

The goal is to reach out to a variety of groups and begin to identify new and recurrent issues facing our membership. The subcommittee is interested in finding out what issues members deal with on a day-to-day basis, what the biggest challenges members have with rules and red tape, and how our national advocacy efforts can help. After compiling the information, an examination of the issues will help shape our future advocacy efforts.

The subcommittee has identified several target groups to be contacted in this initial effort (over time, the subcommittee hopes to expand this effort to other constituent groups within the AIA) and is compiling a list of questions to ask them. A variety of contact methods will be used – from listserv questions to face-to-face conversations to old-fashioned phone calls.

Taking the lead in these efforts:

• Lisa Richmond, executive director of AIA Seattle, will work with the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE), members of which AIA staff met informally during Convention;

• Peter Heimbach, AIA, of AIA Tennessee serves as the liaison to the BAC for the State Government Network (SGN) and will remain as the main point of contact for that group;

• David Del Vecchio, AIA, of AIA New Jersey will be the point of contact for the presidents’ listserv;

• John Rademacher, AIA, of AIA Ohio will contact the National Associates Committee (NAC); and

• William Roschen, FAIA, of AIA California Council will be contacting the Knowledge Communities (KCs).

For more information, contact Angie Taylor, director, State Relations.