Summary: The AIA Board Advocacy Committee and the national component announced the inaugural Advocacy Week at the Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference last month. AIA components have been asked to organize meetings with members of Congress in their congressional districts during the next congressional recess, which takes place March 24–28, when AIA members will put forth three key AIA legislative “asks”:

• Enact incentives for energy-efficient buildings—Ask members of Congress to vote to extend tax incentives to promote energy efficiency and cosponsor legislation, soon to be introduced by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), that will provide incentives for homebuilders and homeowners to design, construct, and renovate energy-efficient homes and neighborhoods
• Eliminate retainage rules on architects and engineers—Urge members of Congress to pass legislation to eliminate the 10 percent retainage of fees on architects and engineers who contract with the federal government
• Promote healthy and safe communities through transportation funding—Oppose proposals to raid the Mass Transit Trust Fund to shore up the Highway Trust Fund and support provisions in next year’s highway bill that provide incentives for projects that build safe and prosperous communities.

For more information on the Advocacy Week, AIA legislative asks, issue briefs, talking points, and frequently asked questions, read the current issue of the Angle, the bi-weekly electronic newsletter by the AIA Government Advocacy team.