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AIA Applauds Congressional Passage of Small Business Legislation

      Contact: John Schneidawind
      202-626-7457
      johnschneidawind@aia.org

      For immediate release:
      Washington, D.C. – September 23, 2010 –       The American Institute of Architects (AIA) lauded passage by the House of Representatives today of the Senate’s legislation that creates a $30 billion fund administered by the Small Business Administration and $12 billion in small business tax relief that is designed to aid small businesses hurt by the recession.

      “As many of our members are two and three-person shops, this legislation will provide some much-needed relief to architects struggling as the economy continues to struggle,” said Paul Mendelsohn, Vice President, AIA Government & Community Relations. “This bill may be the last thing Congresses passes before the election, so we’re gratified to see it pass before Congress’s adjourns to campaign.”

      Mendelsohn said that the AIA will continue to work for passage of legislation not included in this bill that addresses such issues as:

    • Access to credit, which is the primary issue facing architects in this recessionary economy..R. 5249, the Capital Access for Main Street Act of 2010, introduced by Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-COL) and Mike Coffman (R-CO)would help commercial real estate lenders and borrowers as they attempt to work out their loans under terms that are mutually acceptable, avoid large sums of commercial foreclosures. Such renegotiations will free up credit that can be used more constructively.
    • Repeal of a costly provision in healthcare reform that requires architects and other small businesses to file a 1099 MISC tax form if they pay a vendor $600 or more for goods and services.
    • Passage of legislation that guarantees local governments the right to establish clean energy programs through Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bonds - municipal bonds in which the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are loaned to commercial and residential property owners for the purpose of financing energy retrofits.

      “While the recession might be technically over, employment in our profession has dropped roughly 20 percent since the recession began in late 2007,” Mendelsohn said. “The AIA views these initiatives as ones that will help jump-start the design and construction industry, and in turn help get architects back to work.”

      About The American Institute of Architects
      For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org

 

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