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Legislative Day Report
By Andrew
Cupples, AIA
Director of Government Affairs, 2003
On
March 26, 2003, representatives of our Chapter
including Jeff Gill, AIA, Kevin Fleming, AIA,
Tom Nusbickel, AIA, Cheryl Steele, executive
director, and myself attended Legislative
Day in Sacramento sponsored by the AIA California
Council (AIACC). The purpose of Legislative
Day at the state level is similar to the Grassroots
effort in Washington, namely to assure that
architects have a voice on the many policy
issues that affect our environment, our practice,
and our business.
AIACC had identified
four major issues for discussion with our
representatives:
- Architects as an Resource for Livable
Communities
- Architects as a resource for Sustainable
Design
- Support of AB 1333, introduced by Todd
Spitzer of Orange County, that clarifies
the legality of Pay-if Paid language in
our contracts; and perhaps most importantly,
- Opposition to any initiative to impose
sales tax on design professional services.
AIACC
held a briefing on the issues prior to our
visits to the Capital. While we were all
certainly tuned in to the importance of
legislation dealing with livable communities
and sustainable design, much of our energy
was focused on arguments related to imposition
of a tax on design services. While no specific
proposal has been made, recent studies have
identified taxing a wide range of professional
services and other items that could be construed
as services as a major potential source
of revenue as our elected officials struggle
to balance the budget.
Needless to say, additional
taxes on services could significantly impact
our members and place them at a competitive
disadvantage. One example that was offered,
was that an out of town developer with a
meeting in Los Angeles will stay there regardless
of additional room taxes, but given the
choice may consider using an out-of-state
firm if he had to pay taxes on design fees.
Additionally, such a tax could drive work
and jobs out of the state, especially for
firms that have offices elsewhere, and conversely
could impact the business of firms that
bring work here from other portions of the
country.
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Our delegation met with four of our elected
officials:
- Assemblymen Tom Harman, (R) Representative
of the 67th District
- Assemblyman Ken Maddox, (R) Representative
of the 68th District
- Assemblyman Lou Correa, (D) Representative
of the 69th District
- Assemblymen John Campbell, (R) Representative
of the 70th District
All expressed support
for the AIA’s views on these matters
and pledged to avoid any taxes on the professions
that were part of what fuels our economy.
Additionally, they expressed support for
the environmental issues that were raised,
including livable communities, and looking
for regional solutions to common problems
that eliminate the fiscalization of land
use as a determinant of development, promoting
housing for all Californians, and using
schools as centers for our communities.
A wise man, however
once said, “guard your children, your
wife and your land – the legislature
is in session.” With this in mind,
we will continue to monitor these issues
and may call on you, our membership, to
get involved in contacting your elected
officials if the need arises.
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