AIA New Mexico’s mission is to serve as the unifying voice of all AIA Chapters in New Mexico, in service to the architectural profession. It is dedicated to legislative and governmental advocacy as a leader in shaping the built environment for the public good. As the state chapter of The American Institute of Architects, AIA NM actively advocates at both the state and federal level.

Grassroots Conference Report 2011

This year's AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference was held in Washington in early February. Happily the leaders from New Mexico who managed to fly in despite the snow and ice in our region were met with mild weather and an excellent gathering of fellow architects.

Our New Mexico group included Victor Johnson, AIA NM President; Steve Newby, AIA NM President-Elect; Richard Haas, AIA NM State Government Network (SGN) Representative; Jennifer Jaramillo, AIA NM Director of Associates; Richard Deneen, President-Elect of AIA Albuquerque; Cecilia Portal, AIA Albuquerque Executive Director and Jean Gibson, AIA New Mexico Executive Director.

Central to the conference is a day of meetings on Capitol Hill with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation. The issues we presented at our meetings were outlined on a blueprint – AIA's Plan for Rebuilding Main Street - and in individual "issue briefs." To read the Issue Briefs and to view the Blueprint click here.

• Make credit available for commercial building projects
• Eliminate costly paperwork burdens on small businesses
• Jumpstart the market for building retrofits as an engine of economic growth
• Enact comprehensive transportation reform now

The morning was devoted to meetings with staff members from each of our three New Mexico Representatives. Our congressmen were all back in their districts. However, in all instances the staff members we met with were informed on the issues we discussed, and interested in passing on our concerns to their congressmen and working with us to find solutions to the over 50% unemployment rate in the New Mexico design and construction industry. This spring, AIA NM will set up meetings with the congressmen here in their New Mexico districts to reinforce our points.

After a break and lunch in the new Capitol Visitors Center we met with staff in both Senator Bingaman's and Senator Udall's offices. We had the opportunity to speak briefly with Senator Bingaman in the hall as he was returning to his office from a committee hearing. We reported back to the AIA Government Affairs staff on the support we received on some of our issues and to make sure that appropriate follow up contacts would be made by AIA staff in Washington.

During the Grassroots Conference itself, we heard from three federal leaders on opportunities for design. The Chief architect of the General Services Administration spoke about the successful integration of design in GSA buildings and encouraged architects to submit projects to GSA. The second speaker was director of the National Export Initiative, International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce. He outlined the Administration's goal to double exports in the next five years. Architectural services have been targeted as a top-20 area for this push. Finally, the
senior policy advisor at the US Small Business Administration spoke on the support that the SBA can provide small practices such as business counseling, loan development and opportunities for specific types of small businesses.

To read more about the conference and the State Government Network meeting which preceded it, see the 2/10/11 issue of The Angle.

Photo - from left to right: Richard Haas, AIA; Jennifer Jaramillo, Assoc. AIA; Jean Gibson, AIA NM Exec. Director; Kate Schmucker, Legislative Director for Congressman Steve Pearce; Victor Johnson, AIA and Steve Newby, AIA.

Federal Advocacy

At the federal level, AIA NM supports and advocates for REBUILD AND RENEW: The AIA’s Federal Agenda, which may be found at www.aia.org/advocacy/federal/index.htm.

As the global financial crisis continues to threaten the livelihood of American businesses and workers, the American Institute of Architects urges Congress to enact policies that will revive our economy and build the foundation for long-term economic growth. The design and construction industry is the linchpin of our economy, accounting for one in ten dollars of gross domestic product and millions of well-paying jobs. While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) included many much-needed investments in our infrastructure, more needs to be done to free up credit and empower the business community to lead the recovery.

America’s architects believe that this crisis presents an opportunity not only to build, but to build better – greener buildings, vibrant communities, and a 21 st century transportation network that is good for both the environment and the economy. In order to allow our nation’s architects to rebuild and renew America, the AIA urges Congress to act now on these key initiatives.

• Economic Recovery
• Housing
• Transportation
• Energy Policy and Climate Change
• Design Excellence

In February of each year, a team of leaders from each AIA chapter in New Mexico attends the AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference. At that time, the team, lead by the President-Elect of AIA NM, visits the state’s two senators and three congressmen in their Washington offices to advocate for the architectural profession. Members of AIA New Mexico’s Board of Directors hold frequent meetings with our congressional delegation and/or their legislative staffers to reinforce AIA’s advocacy positions.

The AIA Government Affairs Department holds monthly conference calls for chapter leaders to discuss issues and advocacy efforts. In addition, it sends requests to all AIA members to contact their legislators in Washington to register their support for specific legislative initiatives being voted on in Congress. To read The Angle, the AIA’s Government Advocacy e-Newsletter, go to: www.aia.org/angle.

State Advocacy

AIA New Mexico is actively involved in advocacy at the state level, not only at the legislature, but also at the administrative level of state government. AIA NM contracts with a part-time lobbyist, J. D. Bullington, to assist in representing the interest of our members and the entire architectural community in New Mexico.

The Government Affairs Committee of AIA New Mexico has the responsibility to determine whether to support, oppose or remain neutral on specific issues coming before the New Mexico legislature which relate to the practice of architecture and/or the construction industries. The Committee reports its decisions to the full Board of Directors of AIA NM on a weekly basis during the legislative sessions, in accordance with the Government Affairs Policy adopted by the Board. The Executive Director of AIA New Mexico serves as the point of central communications during the fast-paced legislative sessions.

AIA NM seeks to work collaboratively in its advocacy efforts with other organizations in the construction industries to maximize our voices in shaping policies and legislation related to the built environment.

In the upcoming 2011 session of the New Mexico Legislature, the renewal of the Architecture Licensing Act will be on the legislative agenda. AIA NM is working closely with the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects to assure a smooth passage of the renewal of the Act.

For further information on AIA NM’s state advocacy agenda, see issues of AIA New Mexico E-Bulletins and/or contact Jean Gibson, Executive Director. To sign up to receive the AIA NM E-Bulletins click here.