IIBEC Joins Coalition Pushing to Allow 529 Plan Funds to Pay for Credential Programs July 14, 2023 In June, IIBEC became a founding member of the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, which advocates for economic development policy that would strengthen the workforce now and in the future. Organized by the American Society of Association Executives, the coalition’s efforts will focus on building support for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477), which would allow students, workers, and families to use their 529 savings plans for costs associated with obtaining and maintaining postsecondary credentials, such as licenses and nongovernmental certifications. Government Relations
Roofing Industry Calls on Congress to Fully Fund Career and Technical Education June 22, 2023 Earlier this month IIBEC joined with our roofing industry colleagues to call on the US Congress to provide more funding for career and technical education in the states. On June 8, 2023, 11 roofing industry associations signed a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to support a robust increase in funding for Perkins State Grants for career and technical education (CTE). News/Advocacy
IIBEC Helps Restore QBS Intent for Architect and Engineering Design Work in Alabama June 16, 2023 When a coalition working to restore qualifications-based selection (QBS) requirements for architects and engineers needed support – IIBEC got the call. To help the effort, IIBEC sent a letter on June 6, 2023, asking Alabama legislators to concur with Governor Kay Ivey’s executive amendment to restore Senate Bill 309 to its original intent of requiring the qualifications-based selection (QBS) process for the procurement of architectural and engineering design services. The successful effort concluded when each chamber concurred with the governor’s request, thus clearing the legislation for her signature. Government Relations
Canada Calls for Proposals on Aggregated Deep Energy Retrofit Demonstration Projects June 15, 2023 By John Boling A Canadian government official announced June 13, 2023, a call for proposals under the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program that focus on deep aggregated retrofit projects. The call will support up to… Government Relations
Canadian Government Allocates Funding to Improve Energy Efficiency and Reduce Carbon Emissions June 2, 2023 On May 29, 2023, Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minister of natural resources, and Scott Pearce, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced more than $900,000 for six feasibility studies through the Green Municipal Fund’s (GMF) Community Buildings Retrofit initiative to help cities and towns across Ontario find the best approach to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at municipally owned buildings. Government Relations
IIBEC Opposes Cooperative Purchasing Programs in Two States, Scores Victory in Virginia May 26, 2023 IIBEC sent two separate letters last week opposing the use of cooperative purchasing programs to sidestep qualifications-based selection (QBS) requirements. These letters reflect IIBEC’s commitment to oppose solicitations for design services that negatively affect consultants—and they are producing results. Government Relations
IIBEC Helps Defeat Florida Legislative Language Expanding Cooperative Purchasing May 5, 2023 In April, IIBEC sent a letter opposing legislation expanding cooperative purchasing to the members of the Florida Appropriations Committee. IIBEC has long opposed bills that expand cooperative purchasing to include construction design services. Recently, IIBEC submitted testimony opposing a Missouri bill that crossed the threshold and notched a victory when North Dakota exempted all construction services from their cooperative purchasing bill after IIBEC had submitted testimony to the North Dakota Senate State and Local Committee in support of QBS. Government Relations
IIBEC Leaders Join the 2023 Roofing Day in DC April 21, 2023 Roofing industry professionals descended upon Washington, DC, April 18–19, 2023, to participate in the 2023 Roofing Day in DC. IIBEC’s delegation, led by Amy Peevey, president, and Brian Pallasch, executive vice president and chief executive officer, was joined by Chris Giffin, immediate past president, and Melissa Lieb, IIBEC Advocacy Committee chair, as well as John Boling, IIBEC’s director of government relations. Government Relations
