News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

House Votes to Keep Architect Jobs In-State

For Immediate Release: April 30, 1998 Contact: Jeanie Smith, Assistant to Senator Jerry Mackie, at (907) 465-3802.

Juneau – The House Thursday passed a measure to ensure that Alaskan landscape architects can compete for federal jobs in Alaska. Senate Bill 110, passed by a vote of 37 to 2, adds landscape architects to the current State Board of Registration for architects, engineers and land surveyors.

Senator Jerry Mackie (D-Craig), sponsor of SB 110, said while 45 states currently require licensing for landscape architects, Alaska has no such requirement. As a result, Alaskan landscape architects are excluded from participating in securing federal jobs within Alaska and these jobs are going to companies located out of State.

"It’s time we give Alaskans the chance to compete for federal work performed in our State," Mackie said. "By providing landscape architect licensing capabilities, we help ensure that Alaskan jobs go to Alaskan residents. Alaskans are better qualified for these jobs because they understand our arctic climate and environment."

Licensed landscape architects require minimum standards for protection in the design of playgrounds for our children, design of pedestrian paths and bridges and in all types of site development. By combining development projects with health, safety and environmental design, landscape architecture is instrumental in eliminating the negative aspects of potential development projects.

According to Mackie, two recent projects not available to Alaskans were the redesign of the Starrigaven Campground outside of Sitka, and the redesign of the Mendenhall Lake Campground outside of Juneau.

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