AIA/WA Opposes 8215

When the State legislature returns on Tuesday, April 26, Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8215 (SSJR 8215) will still be on the table for consideration. The AIA/WA opposes this legislation since it will restrict state construction spending and thereby negatively impact architects and the state economy as a whole. SSJR 8215 is moving way too fast to be considered good policy. However, because the legislation is being used as a political pawn to block passage of the capital budget, it continues to be debated.

AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman; AIA/WA President, Peter Rasmussen; and AIA/WA member, Walter Schacht testified to the importance of opposing this legislation during the final week of the regular legislative session. (SEE BELOW)

Proponents of SSJR 8215 say the legislation would save the state money. In reality the bill only shifts spending from critical infrastructure to other areas with lower economic returns. Over the course of ten years SSJR 8215 will take roughly $6.8 billion dollars away from construction spending!

As the AIA/WA funded Hebert Research study shows - every billion dollars spent on construction creates 13,820 jobs and $723 million in wages. That is nearly 1,000 more jobs and $55 million more in wages than if those same funds were spent in the general government budget.
Proponents of SSJR 8215 have stated that the bill will invest money in schools, social services and criminal justice. But, money spent on these services is nullified if there are no facilities to host the services. Better education cannot be offered without classrooms. Doctors cannot heal the sick without hospitals and clinics. Law enforcement cannot keep criminals off the street without police stations.

The AIA/WA will continue to oppose this SSJR 8215 with the legislature and in the media. If you would like to know more about what the AIA/WA, and the construction community, will be doing regarding this legislation contact us at stephanie@aiawa.org.

Get the AIA/WA Issue Brief on SSJR 8215 here

Check out more AIA/WA activity concerning the capital budget here

AIA|WA Protects Design Funding

After the legislature transferred nearly one billion dollars out of the capital budget to the operating budget the AIA/WA funded a study to examine the effect of the State’s capital construction spending.

As a result of the report's findings, the AIA/WA has joined a PR campaign with our friends in the construction community to protect capital budget funding. As part of that effort we are contacting local papers across the state.

Today an article was published in the Seattle Times as a result of our combined efforts! Please take a moment to read the article: Washington Legislature must not raid the capital budget to solve budget crisis.

Data from the study mentioned in the article and the results can be reviewed in full on our website at: www.aiawa.org/CapitalBudget2011.html.

Dues Payment Plan - Last Chance

AIA members who have not renewed their membership and would like to take advantage of the Membership Dues Payment Plan will get two “last chances” tomorrow, April 19, and Tuesday, April 26. No one can enroll in the Membership Dues Payment Plan after April 30.

After April 30 all members can still renew in full and/or apply for a hardship adjustment/waiver. If you have any questions, please contact AIA National via Jay Politzer at jaypolitzer@aia.org.

AIA|WA Testifies on the Capital Budget

The AIAWA testified today on the adoption a 2011-2013 capital budget in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Noting the newly released report from Hebert Research, funded by the AIAWA, the Council was able to express concern about the continuing budget transfers from the capital construction budget. The report clearly demonstrates that the state gets more “bang for its buck” from capital spending and that architects are suffering in this economy.

For example, the AIAWA testified that the study found:

•Investing $1 billion in capital projects, rather than general government spending, creates nearly 1,000 more jobs and almost $55 million more in wages.

•For every billion dollars invested in capital construction activities, the state gains 13,820 total jobs and $732.6 million in wages.

This information can be summarized to mean: for every dollar transferred out of the capital budget a job is put at risk! Other data also supports that architects, engineers and contractors employees continue to face economic hardship in Washington State. The American Institute of Architects billings index shows that the Western Region of the United States (including WA) has seen declining architecture billings since mid-2008. Employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Washington has lost 6,000 architecture and engineering jobs since 2008.

Tonight - AIA Seattle Welcomes Dow Constantine!

King County Executive Dow Constantine Hon. AIA Seattle will be speaking on the challenges and opportunities of promoting livability on a region-wide basis. The discussion will take place in the building Constantine helped preserve: the former First United Methodist Church, now Daniels Recital Hall.

Moderating the dialogue will be CR Douglas, host of Seattle Channel's public affairs program, City Inside/Out.

For more information and to register visit: www.aiaseattle.org/node/5485