Legislative Session Quick Report - the 1st Cut Off
Today, Feb. 25 marks the 45rd day of the 105-day legislative session. The first informal cut-off, imposed by the House for bills in policy committees, was Friday Feb. 20. Today the same deadline will occur for the Senate and is the official cut-off date.
“Cut-off’s” are deadlines adopted by the legislature at the beginning of session to guarantee that bills move through the process. The first deadline ensures that all bills which are in a policy committee, those committees not related to fiscal matters, must be voted out. So if a policy committee has voted on a bill by Feb. 25 the legislation is most likely dead.
This process helpfully eliminates several bills. Currently the House has introduced 1335 bills and the Senate has introduced 1152 bills this year. So that is over 2000 bills in 45 days! Of those 2000 bills the AIA|WA has tracked over 300 that could affect architects. This list will be significantly reduced in the days to come.
If you would like to see the full list of bills that the AIA|WA is tracking visit our website and click on AIA 2009 Bill Tracker. If you would like to see the AIA|WA and members testifying on some of these bills before the legislature visit our blog.
back to top
Tax on Professional Services More Likely than Ever
Late last week, the Revenue Forecast Council released new numbers on the budget. It is now predicted that the next budget is out of balance by $8.3 billion.
Legislators have long been predicting that a sales tax on personal and professional services could raise $3.2 billion for the state. It would seem that architects are squarely within the tax sights of many groups looking for untouched pots of money to bolster the state coffers.
The media has been overflowing with stories commenting on the impeding tax hike.
A guest editorial in The News Tribune stated recently that, “the extension of the sales tax to services would also bring in significant revenue.” The point of the editorial was to encourage the legislature to consider raising taxes to balance the budget. The News Tribune also reported that Senator Lisa Brown “and her Senate Democrat colleagues have been talking about the possibility of tax increases, but not about specific amounts.”
The Seattle Times also confirmed that “House Democratic leaders say they'll likely propose sending Washington voters a tax package this year.”
Crosscut.com is reporting, that the new revenue numbers “means it’s all but certain majority Democrats in the Legislature will put a tax measure on the ballot.”
While The Olympian reported on a recent union rally at the capital that carried one clear message, “Stop looking for places to cut spending and start looking for ways to raise revenue, a group of state workers and activists urged lawmakers.”
The AIA Washington Council is actively tracking the budget negotiations. We will keep members apprised of any changes that will impact the profession. Be aware that tax increases are coming and they are likely to be aimed at architects.
Architects have a Successful Lobby Day
The AIA Washington Council had an exciting lobby day on Feb. 19. Each year the AIA/WA holds Capitol Connections, the lobby day for state architects. Over 35 active and involved members attended and participated in: presentations on the state of government; meetings with their legislators and state leadership; and hearings where they testified or signed-in supporting architect issues.
Capitol Connections is a key time when legislators can put a face on issues. Issues like sustainable design and licensing, which elevate the practice of architecture, are championed by law makers when they see the dedication of architects to these causes. Issues like increased liability and a tax on professional services lose ground when architects explain to legislators how this will negatively affect their jobs. Judging by these standards this year’s Capitol Connects was a great success! If you didn’t participate this year, consider attending next year – you make the difference.
A great example of how members make a difference during Capitol Connections was in evidence during the hearing for the architect licensing law bill, HB 1634. The bill was up for a hearing in the House Appropriations committee during the lobby day. Several members testified in support of the bill and addressed concerns about changes to the “alternate route” of becoming an architect. Those who didn’t testify signed in supporting the legislation.
Washington is one of seventeen states that allow those who have held internships for a period of years to be grandfathered-in and allowed to take the licensing exam. Below you can hear testimony on HB 1634 from AIA/WA members Sue Lani Madsen (Madsen, Mitchell, Evenson & Conrad - Eastern Washington) and Dave Huotari (ALSC – Spokane) by visiting our blog here.
While testimony was going on the Senate version of the licensing bill, SB 5529, was passed out of committee.
Later in the day AIA/WA members Timothy Buckley (Greenstone Architects – Vancouver) and Jeffrey Hamlett (Callison – Seattle) testified against, SB 5895, which would have changed liability
back to top
|
