The U.S. Senate on May 12 approved an AIA-supported amendment to the corporate tax bill that put architects into the legislation’s tax cut provisions. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.), would extend a $200 million tax cut to architects and engineers. To become law, the tax cut must survive a House-Senate conference committee and be signed by President Bush.

After the Senate accepted the Hutchison amendment, it approved by a 92–5 vote S. 1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, which also repeals export-tax breaks that European Union leaders say violate international trade rules.

“We owe this victory to the grassroots efforts put forth by thousands of AIA members,” says AIA Government Advocacy Vice President Ron Faucheux. “In early March, hundreds of our members made personal visits to legislators on Capitol Hill and talked up the tax amendment. Since then, architects have produced thousands of phone calls, letters, and e-mails, making their voices heard.”

Faucheux says the AIA is especially appreciative for Hutchison’s sponsorship of the amendment and “her fighting for us every step of the way.” Hutchison’s “strong efforts were crucial. She is a true champion of architects.”

Faucheux also thanks the original cosponsors of the amendment, senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) for their endorsement, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), for their help. Additionally, the amendment was cosponsored by senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Architects in Texas, Louisiana, Oregon, Iowa, Montana, Utah, and Arkansas should call or write these home-state senators and express appreciation for their crucial support, Faucheux says.

Historic rehab credit repeal rejected
The Senate also stripped from the JOBS/tax bill a provision that would have repealed the 10 percent tax credit for preservation of historic buildings. “Again, it was a win made possible by the aggressive grassroots efforts put forth by architects across this nation who contacted members of Congress on behalf of keeping the tax credit program,” Faucheux says.

The AIA worked with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Real Estate Roundtable to knock out the bill’s inclusion of the historic tax credit’s repeal. Patrick Lally, director of congressional affairs public policy for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, thanked AIA architects for their help. “This is a major victory for us and we would not have gotten here without your help,” he said.

No time to let up, the battle is not over
“Though these victories are significant,” Faucheux cautions, “this is no time to let up on either issue. As this legislation moves into conference, it’s vital that we remain vigilant to protect the gains that were won in the Senate May 12. The battle is by no means over. Anything can happen in conference. We need to push forward and keep up the grassroots contact.”

“When talking to senators and key staff members, we heard them keep saying how architects had come to their offices last March and how architects had called or written them on behalf of the AIA agenda in recent weeks,” he concludes. “This shows what a united effort can accomplish.”

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