Interior Design: “Parker Plan” leaked

Today I received a newsletter from the Interior Design Protection Council about an ASID/IIDA “secret legislative strategy” to simultaneously introduce interior design practice acts in 47 states. Not only will this be a very expensive endeavor on their part (paying lobbyists and state coalition expenses), it’s a big leap off a steep cliff for nothing.

These associations are out of step with the reality of today. States need REAL reasons (not conceptual or potential) to vote for practice acts and add expensive state boards to their already overburdened budgets. If there is no proof of physical harm, if there is no public demand with evidence of need, practice acts really do seem like a great way to shut all non NCIDQ designers out of business (or at the very least keep them ‘down as underdogs’ leaving them with a limited scope of practice).

There should be an easy way for everyone to stay in business and for the public to differentiate between unqualified, semi-qualified and qualified design professionals without it having to come from the state as a practice act. It is vitally important to the public interest to be transparent and to play fair.

Here is all the text from the IDPC June 13, 2008 newsletter:

NEWSFLASH!
2009 Monopoly Strategy – The Secret’s Out!

Manifesting the Monopoly
SECRETS REVEALED.

Earlier this week, ASID and IIDA discussed plans to launch a radical new strategy for 2009. This MONOPOLY effort, which some have dubbed the “Parker Plan,” will ramp up their efforts to regulate the interior design profession by introducing practice acts simultaneously in the 47 states which do not currently have these restrictive laws. These would-be laws could potentially harm more than 200,000 people in the design community, as well as over 3,000,000 in related trades.
Masking the Monopoly
The thinking behind this harebrained scheme. . .

Apparently IIDA and ASID are planning to to fund this “blitzkrieg” and try to out last the opponents because they believe they have both the money and the backing to do it.

And, they will try numerous ways to disguise it, e.g. stating it’s “to protect the public,” “necessary to get plans stamped,” or “voluntary,” all of which have been proven time after time to be untrue.

Malevolence of the Monopoly
How a practice act would affect YOU.

This is nothing more than an attempt by a small handful of industry insiders to eliminate their competition!

What is truly amazing is that practice acts even harm Allied ASID members, but since ASID does not consider them to be “professionals,” they would fall under the heading of “collateral damage.”

Note: The Alabama Supreme Court declared their practice act UNCONSTITUTIONAL in 2007 and ordered it removed from the books.
Matching the Monopoly
What YOU can do to stop it.

Those pushing regulation are counting on

(1) continued apathy on the part of the uncommitted design community, and

(2) eventually wearing down those of you who have been actively resisting their anti-competitive legislation over the years.

But YOU can stop them. How?

By joining IDPC and getting on board to assist us in

Operation: Designing Freedom

• Make our voice louder by increased numbers
• Your membership fee will be used to fund such programs as:
• Providing education and training to assist each state to set up and maintain an effective grassroots opposition group.
• Conducting town hall meetings and rallies to educate designers across the country by providing the truth and exposing the motives
• Actively influencing legislators by providing information essential to obtaining a “NO” vote on interior design bills
• National campaign to educate students who have only heard the misleading and blatantly false brainwashing scheme perpetrated by the proponents pushing regulation.

THERE’S NOT A MINUTE TO WASTE!

Legislation IS coming to YOUR state!

You must act now!

Dear Friends, The key to ensuring that interior designers retain their right to practice is. . . YOU! Don’t hesitate — the proponents are already planning the demise of your business. New bills are being written, many of which have a September 2008 deadline for entry. Our resources are limited and unless you act now, IDPC will be unable to provide spontaneous and immediate assistance to the onslaught of requests at the beginning of 2009. You will be affected. Join us. Do it NOW. Best regards,

Executive Director Interior Design Protection Council Email me at pmorrow@IDPCinfo.org PS: If you’d like to volunteer to take the lead in forming a grassroots group in your state, or help on one of our committees, please email legislation@IDPCinfo.org.