Over the past week, AIA Oregon proudly represented you at both the state and national levels, advocating for the profession at a critical time when protecting progress is more important than ever.
In Salem, 15 AIA Oregon members met with state representatives to advance our legislative agenda. Discussions focused on strengthening school resilience against natural disasters, safeguarding Oregon’s Architectural Practice Act from unauthorized changes, and addressing other key issues shaping the future of our profession.
Our lobbiest said:
“Getting involved in public policy work is so important – from the practice act to changes impacting how firms run, from building codes to public contracting, from the environment to resilience, there are so many places where the architects’ opinion needs to be heard…hopefully this effort will grow.”
- Cindy Roberts
Our Strategic councilor said:
“Last week, I attended the AIAO Leadership Summit in Salem alongside Chapter leadership and fellow AIAO members. We met with legislators to advocate for key legislation, including HB 2854 and OrSAP, and spoke with staff about HB 2141, which we oppose in its current form. One of the highlights was walking through the Capitol with Kim Olson, Chair of AIAO’s Legislative Affairs Committee - we are fortunate to have her leadership and expertise. It was also great to hear from OSBAE board members about how they regulate our practice in Oregon and how they can support us. A big thank you to John Webster, Director-Elect of AIA Eugene, for spearheading this!”
-Molly Jacobs, AIA
To get involved in our Legislative action committee email our LAC leader Kim Olson: kolson@mahlum.com
To see photos from Salem: click here.
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In Washington, D.C., AIA Oregon joined over 400 AIA members in representing you on the national stage. Yesterday, five AIA Oregon members met with Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Val Hoyle and Suzanne Bonamici to champion federal policies that support the architectural profession in Oregon.
Together, we advocated for tax incentives to help architects offset the costs of innovation and design, increased funding for affordable housing development, and strategic investments to strengthen the resilience of our built environment—along with many other critical initiatives.
AIA Oregon’s CEO said:
“It was so great to focus on advocacy in D.C championing key issues like climate resilience, housing, and federal design standards on Capitol Hill. Despite potential political headwinds, our members' unified voice reinforced ethically sound policies for a better built environment. The summit empowered emerging professionals with advocacy skills applicable at all levels. Stay tuned for President John Flynn's T@3 recap next week, highlighting key takeaways and leadership insights for AIA Oregon”
-Heather Wilson
To learn more about all the topics covered in DC click here
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AIA Oregon is here for you, actively advocating, supporting, and championing the architectural profession to ensure your success—both today and for future generations of architects. Through these efforts, we are protecting the integrity of the profession, and shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and innovative built environment. Your voice matters, and we are dedicated to amplifying it at the local, state, and national levels to secure a thriving future for architecture.