Issues & AdvocacyState

Close Relations

Inside AIA National’s State Relations Team

August 25, 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: 5

California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Wisconsin

HOT ISSUES:

• The AIA Position Statements are up for review until October 15^th. The AIA Public Policies and Position Statements are statements of belief to policy-makers, the public, and the construction industry on issues of public policy affecting the membership, the profession of architecture, and The American Institute of Architects.  Your thoughts and comments on the development of the AIA Position Statements are a valuable and important aspect of shaping AIA policy to best represent the interests of the AIA and its members. To submit comments, click here.
• 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.
• The AIA is accepting nominations for the Thomas Jefferson Awards for Public Architecture until October 14. For more information, including instructions for submitting nominations, click here.

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.

One (1) CE Credit is available for participating in this call.

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 Texas reports that HB 2284, the recently passed law that clarifies the architectural and engineering practice acts was “noted and affirmed” in the 3^rd Court of Appeals.

RESOURCES:

• A Bloomberg article discusses how budget cuts may impact the emergency response departments of states in danger of incurring damage from Hurricane Irene this weekend.
• The National Center for Interstate Compacts has launched a database of all the active interstate compacts. A webinar entitled Compacts 101: Understanding Interstate Compacts will be held September 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to register.
• 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: The Stock School Plans panel was to meet on August 23, but due to the earthquake of that day, that meeting was rescheduled for September 1. The Tort-Liability panel met August 25. 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 25: Tort-Liability
• August 29: Licensure
• August 30: Interior Design
• August 31: Taxes
• September 1: Stock School Plans (rescheduled from August 23)
• 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