AIA tracking issues at state and local levels

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/docs-cdn-prod.news-engineering.aws.wapo.pub\/publish_document\/62135712-e40d-4c38-9ec3-d3b9218cad1d\/published\/62135712-e40d-4c38-9ec3-d3b9218cad1d.pdf","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/articles\/6561104-how-aia-is-helping-to-combat-the-climate-c","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/maurahealey.com\/issues\/climate\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/wesmoore.com\/issues\/climate\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/wesmoore.com\/release-wes-moore-unveils-aggressive-climate-agenda-for-first-100-days\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/3-governors-races-set-to-remake-clean-energy\/","target","_blank"]],["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/find-chapter","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/10726-state-issues-and-advocacy","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As voters decide who should represent them in Washington, choices made at state and local levels could impact key issues for architects. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"According to a Washington Post \u2013 ABC News"],[0,[0],1," poll"],[0,[],0,", more than half of registered voters say climate change is the most important midterm election issue. AIA prioritizes climate and equity issues and will continue advocating for policies that increase sustainability, resilience, reduce global warming, and ensure fairness to all citizens. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cIn addition to lowering the emissions from the built environment, we must also reduce our embodied carbon footprint. Embodied carbon refers to the CO2 emitted in the production of materials,\u201d said Sarah Dodge, AIA\u2019s senior vice president for Advocacy and Relationships. \u201cThere is no question that we are currently off target to meet these climate objectives and urgent action is needed.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"What happens on Election Day in the U.S. Congress and in state houses across the country will not only influence how architects work but also impact the momentum architects have made toward achieving sustainability and AIA\u2019s climate action goals. This is among the reasons AIA continues working with governors and mayors and is sending leaders to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference "],[0,[1],1,"COP27"],[0,[],0," in Egypt. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Massachusetts, Maryland, and Maine elections could have a significant impact on the momentum of climate legislation. In Massachusetts, frontrunner Democrat Maura Healey is campaigning on a "],[0,[2],1,"plan"],[0,[],0," to prioritize clean energy. In Maryland, candidate Democrat Wes Moore has shared a "],[0,[3],1,"climate agenda"],[0,[],0," with voters. His opponent, Republican Dan Cox, does not address climate in his "],[0,[4],1,"list"],[0,[],0," of top policy issues, however. In Maine, former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, is vying to take his seat back from incumbent Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. "],[0,[5],1,"Energy Wire"],[0,[],0," offers an in-depth look at these key races."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"Economic Impact "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Because the work of architects is vital to success in building an inclusive community, AIA prioritizes state and local policy issues aimed at historic preservation and school safety, as well as key economic issues, like minimizing taxes on architecture services and affordable housing, which AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, says is nearing crisis. \u201cEven though there are signs of an economic slowdown in coming quarters, recent elevated levels of inflation have pushed up mortgage rates, house prices, and rents across the country. With housing costs rising faster than household incomes, the net result is a housing affordability crisis that limits the ability of many households to afford homeownership, and others to live independently,\u201d said Baker. \u201cThrough creative designs and partnerships with local community nonprofits to attract financial assistance, architects have been active in developing affordable housing strategies to help deal with this situation.\u201d "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[6],1,"Working Together "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA continues defending the value of architecture as a profession by opposing efforts to weaken rigorous standards for architectural licensing and working to ensure only the most competent individuals provide architectural services. Dodge says to ensure the integrity of the profession and to AIA\u2019s member-led policy goals, connectivity to policymakers is important at every level. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0," \u201cThe more architects work with state and local elected officials\u2014this includes your federal officials, governors, state legislators, mayors, city councils, and especially state boards of licensure,\u201d said Dodge, \u201cthe greater the positive impact on these and other critical issues facing the profession, the business, and our communities. It is important to develop and maintain strong ties with these individuals and groups to ensure that architects\u2019 voices are heard.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To learn more about what\u2019s happening in your state, "],[0,[7],1,"join a local AIA chapter"],[0,[],0," and read more about "],[0,[8],1,"AIA\u2019s State and Local Policy Agenda."],[0,[],0," "]]]]}