ASLA Begins the 112th Congress with Federal Priorities In Place



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To prepare for each new Congress, ASLA surveys its members to determine which federal issues are most important to the profession and should make up the ASLA Federal Legislative Agenda. Last Spring, then President Gary D. Scott, FASLA sent out a “Call for Issues,” seeking input from the entire ASLA membership on federal legislative and policy issues that should be a priority for ASLA during the 112th Congress (2011-2012). Survey respondents consistently ranked sustainable design, water and stormwater management, transportation design and planning and parks, recreation, and active living issues as most important to the profession.

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Throughout the past year, the ASLA Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the Government Affairs Advisory Committee each reviewed and vetted the results of the “Call For Issues” survey and recommended a set of broad issues to make up the ASLA Federal Legislative Agenda for the 112th Congress. These issues include: Transportation Design and Planning; Water and Stormwater Management; Sustainable Design; and Livable Communities. Under these broad issues, ASLA can focus on specific bills and policies that impact the landscape architecture profession.

With the 112th Congress expected to reauthorize the omnibus surface transportation law, considerable time and resources should be placed on transportation issues. ASLA will also continue its important work with policymakers on promoting the use of green infrastructure to address water quality and other stormwater management issues. ASLA will also work with legislators to demonstrate how planning and designing sustainable, livable communities spur economic development opportunities, create local jobs, and promote healthy lifestyles. Finally, with the 112th Congress poised to address job creation and business issues, where appropriate ASLA will advocate for relevant and salient small business issues that impact the landscape architecture profession.

However, with 106 new members in the 112th Congress, one of ASLA’s most important federal agenda items is to educate these new legislators on the profession of landscape architecture and the many contributions that landscape architects can make in solving some of nation’s most critical issues.

Learn more about ASLA Advocacy at asla.org/advocacy.

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