This past Tuesday, April 9th was Architect’s Day in Harrisburg! Throughout the day, several local architects met with our state legislators to discuss current issues relevant to our profession. AIA Pittsburgh members who meet with our representatives included Bill Bates, AIA, Jen Bee, AIA, Carl Bolton, AIA, Gwen Dakus, AIA, Chip Desmone, AIA, Alan Schlossberg, AIA, and Anne Swager, Hon. AIA. Next time you see one of these individuals, ask them about their day in Harrisburg.
Our local teams met with the offices of Senator Timothy Solobay (D) District 46; Senator Wayne Fontana (D) District 42; Senator Richard Alloway (R) District 33; Senator Lloyd Smucker (R) District 13; Senator Jim Ferlo (D) District 38; Senator Matt Smith (D) District 37; and Senator Jay Costa (D) District 43, as well as Representative Jaret Gibbons (D) District 10; Representative Harry Readshaw (D) District 36; Representative Mark Mustio (R) District 44; Representative Eli Evankovich (R) District 54.
The teams also dropped off information packets to the offices of local senators and representatives who were not present to meet with us.
The meetings were coordinated by AIA PA and AIA PA’s lobbyist, the Winter Group. Mark Singel, the President of the Winter Group, served as PA’s Lieutenant Governor from 1987-1995. Prior to his terms as Lieutenant Governor, Singel served six years in the State Senate. He has long-standing relationships with many of our legislators. Mark’s team, along with AIA PA, are continuously advocating on our behalf with decision makers at the state level.
This is an annual event that is coordinated by AIA Pennsylvania and all architects are invited to participate, so if you missed it this year, you’ll have more opportunities in the years ahead to make your voice heard. http://www.aiapa.org/
If you can’t get away from the office for a full day trip, we invite you to get to know your own legislator locally to let them know what architects do.