We need your vote!
It’s that time of year and we need your vote on the future legislative priorities of AIA Pennsylvania. AIA Pennsylvania has been working extremely hard for our members throughout the COVID crisis and over the past two-year legislative session. Even though this has been a trying year, we have many exciting accomplishments to report. Looking ahead we have many more things to accomplish as we approach the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. Stay tuned for an opportunity to set the AIA Pennsylvania legislative agenda with the 2021-2022 Legislative Survey.
AIA Pennsylvania’s new mission statement is to “Advance, inspire, and advocate for the profession of architecture while promoting the health, safety, and welfare of the built environment and the public.”
In addition, we strive to strenuously promote and protect the profession while espousing the highest ideals and standards of the Society including concepts of inclusion, diversity, sustainability, ethics, stewardship of the environment, and good design. We believe that all of our state legislative goals can be met without compromising the values and principles upon which this organization was founded.
Member feedback from the 2019-2020 Legislative Survey revealed the following top 5 priorities:
- Building Codes Updates and Protection
- Encroachment on the Practice of Architecture
- Green Buildings and Sustainability
- Professional Services Tax
- Statute of Repose and Tort Reform
This survey will open in November and can be taken at your own leisure. We look forward to hearing your voice and contributions to this important survey that will frame our next two years of advocacy at the state and local levels!
Small Victories, Big Impact!
Affordable Housing
Last week, SB 30 sponsored by Senator Killion passed the PA House and PA Senate unanimously! The bill is currently in the hands of the Governor. Pending the Governor’s signature, the Pennsylvania Housing Tax Credit will be established.
Across the Commonwealth, not just in urban areas, Pennsylvania has an affordable housing problem. We have long championed incentive programs that foster private sector investment in affordable housing. This bill adds an additional tool to the architect’s and toolbox and is a step in the right direction to make affordable housing more accessible for all citizens of the Commonwealth.
NOV 4, 2020 Update on SB30 | The Governor has signed the bill, now the Pennsylvania Housing Tax Credit Act (Act 107 of 2020) into law creating the framework for the Pennsylvania housing tax credit. The act directs the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to establish guidelines and procedures for the administration of the state tax credit to qualified affordable housing projects in conjunction with the agency’s current federal low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. Read more from PHFA >
Anti-Indemnification
AIA Pennsylvania supports HB 1887 introduced by Representative Driscoll ensuring that no party can be indemnified or held harmless from their own negligence. Pennsylvania’s current anti-indemnity statute prohibits an architect or engineer from seeking indemnity for their own negligence arising from the preparation of drawings and specifications. However, owners, contractors, and subcontractors can be indemnified for their own negligence, in whole or in part.
AIA Pennsylvania worked with stakeholders, Rep. Driscoll, and the House Commerce Committee to amend HB 1887 to protect against an unjust indemnification clause in a design professional’s contract where an architect or engineer is forced to indemnify another party for that party’s own negligence. This bill rights a wrong and is based on fairness and fair business dealings. HB 1887 is currently on first consideration on the House floor awaiting a vote.
Election Proof the PA Architects PAC
Our goal for the PA Architects PAC is to be election proof. Donate today! Your profession, your business and the health, safety, and welfare of the public are impacted daily by the work of legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Through the PA Architects PAC, we strengthen relationships with legislators that support us and understand our issues.
Voting Blueprint for the Citizen Architect
Election Day, November 3rd, is fast approaching and many watchers and pundits are convinced the election will hinge on Pennsylvania. AIA National has prepared presidential candidate profiles to help you compare positions on issues that matter to our profession.
Review AIA’s policy priorities for the U.S. presidential candidates and Congressional policy makers. Importantly, the platform’s development is based on policy objectives, not partisanship, to encourage federal policy makers to join hands and work together for the good of the American people.
In addition to the presidential race, Pennsylvanians will be casting their votes for state legislature, row officer, and congressional races.
Check your voter registration status with the PA Department of State and note your ward and precinct to preview a personalized ballot by visiting your county election office website or visit BallotReady to dive into your ballot alongside the background of every candidate and referendum. As the saying goes, “all politics are local.”
Here is some important information sourced from the Voting in Pennsylvania guide :
- Early in-person voting for the general election ended at 5 p.m. on October 27. You may continue to drop off your mail-in ballot in person until November 3, so long as you’ve applied for it before October 27. You must return your voted ballot to a location in the county that issued your mail ballot. Find your county mail ballot return or early voting locations or track the progress of your mail ballot.
- If you applied to vote by mail ballot but intend to vote at your polling place, you will need to bring both your mail-in or absentee ballot AND the outer return envelope to your polling place. Learn more about voting at your polling place.
- The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m on November 3rd. If you are in line when the polls close, you are entitled to vote. Find your polling place.