March 2015

ISSUES AND ADVOCACY
 
What is Your Profession Worth to You?

 

A dime-a-day?

A cup of coffee a week?

A dollar-a-day?

 

That's all it takes to make a huge investment toward the future of our profession. Invest in architects, invest in the AIA Louisiana Political Action Committee.

 

Your practice is regulated by the legislature and state and local agencies.  Architects have benefitted greatly in the past few years from legislative and political efforts on your behalf.  These efforts have been enabled by membership in the Political Action Committee of AIA Louisiana. We have also worked to fend off bad legislation and encroachment by other professions that would have been harmful to your business.

 

This year is an election year with 21 legislative members term limited.  In 2019, there will be an extraordinary 66 more members that will be unable to seek office or a 60% turnover in 5 years. This will be an incredible undertaking as we advance policies that move your profession forward. 

 

AIALA PAC is not about influencing legislation. It's about speaking with a unified voice to support candidates who are committed to our profession.


 

The 2015 Board of Directors has already donated $4,000 and has committed to 100% participation. 


 

Please make a donation today by clicking here to support our advocacy efforts this year and beyond or go to www.aiala.com.


 

Thank you.

 

AIA Louisiana Members Attend Snowy 41st Annual Grassroots in Washington DC

 

 

 

This exclusive event, for AIA leaders only, gives volunteers the opportunity to gain information and knowledge through workshops designed to help participants in their leadership and advocacy roles.


 

Representing AIA Louisiana were Ron Martinez, President Elect, AIA Louisiana, Paula Peer and Nick Marshall, New Orleans, Rachel James, Shreveport, Kendal Broussard, South Louisiana, Jimmy Hebert, Baton Rouge, Elizabeth Galan, Southwest Louisiana, Stephen Arceneaux, Coastal, and Steve Maher, National Board Member representing AIA Louisiana.


 

Guided by a vision for the future of the profession, the conference provided AIA leaders with tools to influence and pursue action that will strengthen their components, firms, communities and society at large. There were opportunities for creative dialogue through general sessions, workshops, networking and peer to peer connections. Leaders exchanged information and ideas, provided input on AIA initiatives and advocated the AIA's federal agenda to members of Congress, working collectively toward a better future for architects. The agenda emphasized component leadership and included a dynamic legislative conference and workshops designed to help component officers and aspiring leaders become effective chapter and civic leaders.


 

Issues of national interest which were discussed with the Louisiana Congressional delegation included protection and enhancement of the federal historic tax credit (HTC), and

the Safe Building Code Incentive Act, which encourages states to voluntarily adopt and enforce nationally recognized model building codes for residential and commercial structures in order to qualify for additional post-disaster FEMA grants. Also National Design Services Act, which extends to architecture graduates student debt relief in exchange for work in under-served

communities.