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AIA Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 236-4055
Fax: (717) 236-5407
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AIA Pennsylvania Wins National Award!!!
The 2008 Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference was held last week in Washington, DC. AIA Pennsylvania was presented with the Excellence Award for Best Overall Government Affairs Program. While we have always taken pride in our program, the Government Affairs program was restructured and is now a model program. A self audit comprised of a situation analysis, vision document, and an implementation plan were completed. 2007 was the first year under the new system and the impact has been profound. Adjustments were made in the organizational structure, communications plan, staffing and budgeting, and new policies/procedures have been adopted. The program is proactive, efficient and effective, and sustainable through staff and leadership changes.
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| Governor Rendell's 2008-09 Proposed Budget
For the sixth time during his time as Governor, Ed Rendell has proposed a Commonwealth budget. Governor Rendell's 2008-09 spending plans calls for $28.3 billion in spending, a 4.2-percent increase over last year's proposal.
Greenlee Partners has prepared a summary highlighting some of the provisions of the Governor's proposal. We think you'll find it useful.
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Legislative Overview
Here is a brief overview of some of the bills we are tracking in the PA Legislature:
Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
AIA Pennsylvania is leading the UCC Collaborative which succeeded in getting HB1096 passed in the House last fall. Currently, the bill is in the Senate Labor and Industry Committee where we are working with legislators for passage in the Senate. HB1096 would establish the UCC Advisory and Review Council which would be comprised of stakeholders. The focus of the Council would be to provide comments and recommendations on proposed changes to the UCC.
Professional Practice
AIA Pennsylvania succeeded in negotiating an amendment to HB1188 which clarified the difference between lesser lapsed license violations and more egregious practice by untrained and unlicensed persons. HB1188 received its second consideration in the House in February, and is slated for the House calendar on March 10 when the PA Legislature returns.
Sustainable communities
AIA Pennsylvania has been successful in getting its green building tax credit bill and a bill that specifies energy and environmental building standards for state funded buildings incorporated into the Governors Special Session on Energy deliberations. Special Session bill SSHB5 provides tax credits for new construction or renovation of existing buildings into "green buildings." This bill was passed in the House with the support of AIA Pennsylvania (191-0). We are now working vigorously to expand support for SSHB5 in the Senate, as well as other "green building" bills in the House, towards passage as soon as possible.
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Voice your Opinion
As part of our strategic planning process, AIA Pennsylvania is undertaking a membership survey. The survey will help us determine how to better serve you and the industry.
By completing this survey, you will provide important information about programs, services and other activities. Your response will help AIA Pennsylvania evaluate the effectiveness of our programs, identify improvements needed and suggest new initiatives.
We are asking that you take about ten minutes from your busy schedule to complete our survey. Please be assured that your answers will remain confidential. Neither you nor your organization will be specifically identified.
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AIA 150 Charrette
Smart Growth Schools is the initiative that was adopted by the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors. This initiative looks to promote the reuse of existing neighborhood schools, particularly if they are historic and also to promote the design of new neighborhood schools that are compatible with the character of the neighborhood.
On February 2, 2008, three teams comprised of AIA Pennsylvania members, Pottstown School Board members and Pottstown High School drafting students put their heads together at Rupert Elementary School in Pottstown, PA to develop plans to renovate the school.
Rupert Elementary School
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AIA National Convention
Pennsylvania Fellows & Alumni Reception
May 16, 2008, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Please join us in honoring AIA Pennsylvania members as well as university alumni from the Pennsylvania architecture schools that have advanced to Fellowship in The American Institute of Architects. Every year this event gets bigger and better. We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions please contact: AIA Pennsylvania (717) 236-4055 or convention@aiapa.org.
For more information on the convention, visit www.aiaconvention.com.
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