Issues & AdvocacyState

Close Relations

Inside AIA National’s State Relations Team

August 18, 2011

Welcome to this week’s edition of Close Relations.

Note: AIA Components are encouraged to send legislative and advocacy news to Close Relations Editor Zachary Hart at zacharyhart@aia.org for inclusion in future editions of Close Relations.

STATE LEGISLATURES MEETING THIS WEEK: 2

California, Georgia, Massachusetts and Wisconsin

HOT ISSUES:

• Congress is currently on their August Recess, and members will be back in their districts until September 5. All Architect-Advocates, even those who focus primarily on State and Local issues are encouraged to schedule meetings with their representatives. Please note that the Congressional schedule could change at a moment’s notice, so always confirm with a legislator’s office prior to a meeting in case things change.
  

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• August SGN Open Call: Media Relations for Architects & Advocates August 31, 3:30-4:30 pm

Public advocacy is an important but often overlooked aspect of the profession of architecture. In today’s political environment, any legislation that appears to save public money – even at the expense of core values like Health, Safety, and Welfare – can have seductive appeal. Architects must enter the political arena to defend the profession against shortsighted legislation.

This call, led by John Schneidawind (Director, Public Affairs & Media Relations) and Scott Frank (Director, Media Relations) will teach the basics of media relations, e.g. giving interviews; discuss approaches to generating media coverage favorable to AIA positions on legislative issues; spotlight best practices in states like Hawaii and Florida; and teach members about AIA’s model op-ed program.

Topic: SGN Monthly Open Call
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 3:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Event number: 664 781 270
Event password: Welcome11
Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=664781270&t=a
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-866-699-3239

AROUND THE HORN:

• AIA Louisiana has issued its 2011 Legislative Report.

RESOURCES:

• According to research by NCSL, most state budgets are improving their fiscal health, but the recovery is still fragile and has some distance to go. In roundtable discussions of state budget issues, most legislators described themselves as “cautiously optimistic” about their respective states’ budget outlooks. Although states face ongoing budget challenges, the budget situation appears to be stabilizing for most states; however, a second recession could severely damage state budgets, as most states have depleted their rainy day funds and further federal stimulus is extremely unlikely. To cover budget shortfalls over the past few years, states have primarily cut from Medicaid programming and other health and human services. Cuts to K-12 and higher education, which were largely avoided in FY 2010, have shown up in ways that directly impact classrooms in FY 2011 and FY 2012. Cuts in aid to local governments and state parks were another continuing trend. To view the NCSL state budget and tax presentation, click here. To see the NCSL presentation on state budget management strategies, click here.
• Stateside Associates has compiled a list of the top political blogs for each state. As the 2012 elections begin to heat up, use these sources to keep tabs on political developments in your state.
• The National Endowment of the Arts is offering grants from $10,000 to $200,000 for media projects that highlight architecture, urban planning and design, universal design, and historic preservation. The grant application is due September 1, 2011.
• The slides and audio from July’s SGN Open Call, “The ABCs of PAC,” are available via FTP. Use the following login information:

Server: ftp://ftp.aia.org

Username: SGNMember

Password: dhrhq3gl

THIS WEEK IN STATE RELATIONS:

• SGN Listserv threads: Virginia’s Duncan Abernathy posted that at least one locality in Virginia is relinquishing its initial plan review responsibilities and requiring the permit requestor to attach a third-party review; several SGN members replied with relevant experiences from their states. All SGN Listserv threads are archived on Sharepoint; click here, then “SGN Listserv Threads.”
  
• SGN Advisory Panels: Advisory Panel meetings will resume in late August. Relevant documents for each Panel will be posted to Sharepoint: Click here, then “SGN Advisory Panels.” Contact Chris Merriam if you’re interested in joining one of the Panels. The next meetings for each Panel are:
• August 23: Stock School Plans
• August 25: Tort-Liability
• August 29: Licensure
• August 30: Interior Design
• August 31: Taxes
• September 6: Project Delivery
• September 7: QBS

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Past editions of Close Relations can be found here.

Connect with AIA’s State Affairs team:

• Angie Taylor (Director, State Relations): 202.626.7543 or angietaylor@aia.org
• Chris Merriam (Manager, State Issues and Programs): 202.626.7417 or chrismerriam@aia.org
• Zachary Hart (State and Local Relations Consultant, Close Relations Editor): 202.626.7354 or zacharyhart@aia.org
• Twitter: @AIA_StRelations