By: Hamid Khanli, AIA
What an eye opening experience, indeed. As a new state director for the AIA Orlando, I had the privilege to participate in the AIA annual legislative day and meet with our state representatives and politicians in Tallahassee. The event took place all day on March 17th and involved tiresome amount of walking from one representative’s office to the next to discuss important issues of concern to our profession. This was a very interesting process for a first timer like me, not only to see how our political machine works, but actually be part of it.
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| Steve Murphy, AIA, Hamid Khanli, AIA, Shanay Greene Aide to Representative Taylor, Chris Dunlop, AIA and Jose Casiano, Associate AIA |
Our Orlando component was able to make appointments with the majority of our representatives and meet with almost all, with exception of one, face-to-face for more effective discussion about our issues. This year, AIA Florida had 4 major issues for us to bring to our representatives’ attention and seek their support:
- Fairness in Contractual Liability - Support HB 701 & SB 1964 – Protect the integrity of contracts which specify remedies for economic damages and remove an undue liability exposure of design professional employees while preventing increases in the cost of doing business to Florida businesses and governments for these vital services.
- Relief For Small Businesses & Job Creation - Make capital available to small business by emergency “bridge” loans or revolving loan programs. Enact a means to fund these loans, as recommended by the small business development center and the small business regulatory advisory council. Also, support HB773 & SB 1126 – Expedite permitting which allows more Floridians to begin work on the construction phase of a project.
- Encourage Sustainability & Green Building – Leverage federal funds for weatherization of schools. Implement tax credits for a sustainable and energy efficient Florida.
- Oppose Amendment 4, Save Project Development – Raise your voice in opposition to Amendment 4 that requires all rezoning and amendments to local comprehensive plans be approved via referendum. Communities must embrace smart growth policies. Smart growth requires careful planning and direction combined with a clear and effective means of engaging the people’s voice
I am happy to write that we received strong support, and all of these issues were met positively by almost all the representatives. One of the highlights of every meeting was the graphic representation of all the issues on a 24 in. by 36 in. blueprint that this year’s board of directors devised with which to communicate, and was well received.
Looking back at this process which is only one of many benefits of our association, and actually seeing the efforts the AIA board of directors so diligently put forth to benefit and further the objectives of our profession; assures us that support of our organization, both by being a member and being active, go a long way. When the politicians and representatives go out of their way, as they did on this day, to acknowledge and admit members of AIA, there is something to be said about the respect and prestige this organization has managed to create amongst these politicians. It is gratifying to have the AIA as such a strong organization that looks after the interests of our profession. Therefore, I congratulate those who support this organization with their memberships and activities; and encourage the others who have not yet been involved with AIA, to consider all that this organization is doing for them.