The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced its “punch list” for Congress that, if completed, will ignite the construction economy by spurring much needed improvements in energy efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency and create jobs for small business
“America needs to create more jobs, to strengthen communities, and find help for millions of young people to succeed in the new economy,” said Robert Ivy, CEO of the American Institute of Architects, "so we've created a punch list—a term that enumerates unfinished items in a construction contract."
“The AIA’s Congressional punch list will help Congress satisfy its implicit contract with the American people to spur growth and create jobs,” Ivy said. “Our legislative agenda reflects the interests of our members, which not so coincidentally reflects the priorities of the American people.”
“America needs to create more jobs, to strengthen communities, and find help for millions of young people to succeed in the new economy,” said Robert Ivy, CEO of the American Institute of Architects. A punch list is a list of actions that need to be taken to satisfy the terms of a contract.
“The AIA’s Congressional punch list will help Congress satisfy its implicit contract with the American people to spur growth and create jobs,” Ivy said. “Our legislative agenda reflects the interests of our members, which not so coincidentally reflects the priorities of the American people.”
The AIA’s Punch List for Congress:
1. Re-enact Expired Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives
Congress left town in December without extending several important tax incentives that expired on New Year’s Day. Of most significance to the design and construction industry is the expiration of a tax break enacted in 2005 for energy efficient commercial buildings. The 179D deduction allowed building owners to claim a tax deduction of $1.80 per sq. ft. of building area to install systems that reduce the total energy and power costs by 50 percent or more when compared with a reference building. As Congress continues to debate long-term tax reform, it can boost the economy and create jobs today by reinstating this deduction.
2. Help Businesses by Reforming Government Procurement Rules
More than 97 percent of architecture firms employ 50 or fewer people; every project they design leads to job opportunities for millions of construction workers. But too many laws and regulations block innovative solutions that maximize the government’s return on its investment. Congress must reform procurement rules so that architects and designers can deliver projects that are safe, productive and sustainable. In 2014, the AIA is aggressively pushing for passage of The Design-Build Efficiency and Jobs Act of 2013 (H.R. 2750), introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) in July, which would reform of the design-build contracting process so that more design and architectural firms can bid on federal contracts without fear of losing money in the process.
3. Invest in the Next Generation of Design Leaders
Millions of young people aspire to help their communities build a better future – but a lack of opportunity and the crushing cost of education hold them back. As a result, the design and construction industry faces a severe shortage of talent, at exactly the moment we need to start rebuilding for the future. The AIA urges Congress to pass the proposed National Design Services Act (NDSA), which will give architecture students the relief from crushing student loan debt as that granted young lawyers, doctors and others – in return for pro bono community service.
4. Invest in Infrastructure
Just as the Capitol dome, the symbol of American democracy is undergoing a multi-year renovation, so too must our nation’s infrastructure. Congress should pass a multi-year transportation reauthorization, which would allow for long-term planning that not only repairs roads and bridges but helps communities prosper; and enact a National Infrastructure Bank to finance the design, construction and repair of buildings and other vital infrastructure. Such moves would help free up capital for private sector building projects, and new ways to invest in public sector buildings, providing jobs in the short term and a more competitive economy in the long run.
5. Pass a Common-Sense Energy Efficiency Bill
Last session, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a bipartisan bill, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 that would encourage families, businesses and the government to save energy. The Senate should take up the legislation, sponsored by Ohio Republican Rob Portman and New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, in 2014, and oppose efforts by the fossil fuel industry to repeal existing policies that save energy.
6. Help Communities Weather Natural Disasters
Each year, natural disasters kill tens of thousands of people worldwide and inflict billions of dollars in damage. Many parts of the United States are still recovering from tornadoes and hurricanes like Superstorm Sandy. Congress can help communities fortify themselves from such disasters by passing the Safe Building Code Incentive Act, introduced by New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Florida Republican Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart, which encourages states to voluntarily adopt and enforce nationally recognized model building codes.
About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.
Related Stories
Architects | Dec 9, 2019
Jonathan Moody promoted to CEO of Moody Nolan
New four-member Executive Team also named.
Big Data | Dec 4, 2019
AEC data's coming out party
AEC firms are finally putting to use project information they’ve been storing in their computers for years.
Building Owners | Dec 2, 2019
What building owners and AEC teams need to know about New York’s Climate Mobilization Act
On April 18, 2019, the New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, a suite of laws aimed to meet the city’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
| Nov 26, 2019
Steinberg Hart and Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture combine to elevate design, expand opportunities and strengthen client relationships
This union creates a national architecture firm with enhanced design capabilities and expertise.
| Nov 8, 2019
Philadelphia architecture firm EwingCole acquires Baltimore firm Gaudreau
Philadelphia architecture firm EwingCole acquires Baltimore firm Gaudreau.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 7, 2019
Multifamily construction market remains strong heading into 2020
Fewer than one in 10 AEC firms doing multifamily work reported a decrease in proposal activity in Q3 2019, according to a PSMJ report.
Architects | Oct 29, 2019
Top takeaways from the Lean Construction Institute Congress 2019
More than 1,600 Lean experts gathered in Texas this month for LCI Congress 2019. Here are key takeaways from the event.
Giants 400 | Oct 25, 2019
Top 50 Airport Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
AECOM, Gensler, HNTB, Corgan, and HOK top the rankings of the nation's largest airport terminal sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 24, 2019
Top 125 Retail Architecture Firms for 2019
CallisonRTKL, Gensler, MG2, NELSON, and Stantec top the rankings of the nation's largest retail sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Architects | Oct 11, 2019
SMPS report tracks how AEC firms are utilizing marketing technology tools
With thousands of MarTech tools and apps on the market, design and construction firms are struggling to keep up.