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The AIAWA is paying close attention to the State Budget; there is concern that the deficit will cause legislators to target architects with a new taxes. The latest news is not encouraging. Other groups have also been watching the budget and during the recent gubernatorial campaign the state’s financial situation was a hot topic. At the time of the election, forecasters predicted there would be a $3.2 billion gap between expected revenue and planned spending. They underestimated. More...
 AIA|WA Weighs in on Changed to Residential Construction
The 2008 Home Construction Workgroup (HCW),
a task force of Washington State Legislators, met this month and issued draft recommendations for dealing with problems in residential construction.
The legislature has been struggling with problems in residential construction for several years. After multiple attempts to expand liability for architects and contractors, the legislature created a workgroup to investigate the issue.
The draft includes three main recommendations:
1. The establishment of a certification requirement for the five areas of greatest potential home damage (roofing, siding, framing, foundation anddoors/windows), along with enhanced contractor registration.
2. An Ombudsman’s Office within the Attorney General’s Office to receive consumer complaints, provide consumer education, and supply an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.
3. Require some residential construction warranties for homeowners with a narrow statute of limitation
For architects, the most pertinent section of the draft recommendations can be found More...
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Recommendations May Amend the Growth Management Act
In the 2007 session, the legislature created an advisory committee (AC) to examine the impact of land use decisions on climate change. The committee concluded its final meeting and is in the process of creating its final recommendations. In the meantime the AC has issued draft recommendations for policy and funding changes.
There were some significant decisions
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Annual Meeting Identifies the Priorities of Architects
Architects believe that when choosing their occupation they sign an unwritten contract with society to honor the welfare of people. At least that is the opinion offered by Ron Turner, an architect and AIA member, who spoke at the AIA Washington Council (AIA|WA) Annual Meeting on Friday, November 14 in Centralia.
From the number of attendees and the topics discussed at the meeting it seems that Tuner is right. The reconstruction of Centralia and sustainability were the primary topics of the day. Several architects from around the state traveled great distances to assemble in the small town, which was chosen due to its efforts to rebuild after drastic flooding in 2007
Architects were among the first groups to lend a hand when water destroyed much of Centralia last year and were interested
to hear how the town had faired.
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 Did you know that you’re a member of ours? All AIA member architects within the State of Washington are members of the AIA Washington Council (AIA|WA). No additional dues or paperwork are necessary but, there are benefits you may not be aware of.
Unlike the local chapters we don’t sell forms, advertise AIA architects, or provide networking – what we do provide is your one link to state government policies, actions, and legislation that affects you. The AIA|WA lobbies, monitors law, testifies for and against legislation, tracks the actions of agencies that affect architects, petitions, and meets with State and National Representatives about the policies that impact your business. Our presence makes sure that state architects are not targeted or forgotten by an overwhelmed state legislature. We do this so you don’t have to.
However, after reading about some of the issues that we work on you may want to get involved.
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