The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is remaining cautious about the impact of the new Bush Administration on facilities management.
In its Feb. 2001 newsletter, BOMA examined the outlook of four FM issues under the new administration:
Telecommunications: BOMA is concerned about President Bushs position on forced access—the taking of space by telecommunications service providers within office buildings for the installation of equipment and wiring for free or at low, government-established prices. In 1994, while Bush was governor of Texas, the state passed forced access legislation, which BOMA called “one of the most damaging telecom laws for commercial real estate in the nation.”
Energy: As governor of Texas, Bush supported deregulation. BOMA expects him to continue supporting the policy through federal legislation as president. As for the new Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, BOMA says he has “proven his willingness to address the [real estate] industrys concerns.”
Taxes: Because of the general skepticism over Bushs proposed $1.3 trillion tax cut, BOMA remains guarded about its potential effects. However, the organization notes that the plan includes “pledges to veto any increase in corporate taxes and to repeal estate taxes,” which would likely benefit the industry.
Codes and standards: BOMA will focus on indoor air quality legislation, and predicts that an indoor air quality standard will not move forward under the Bush Administration.
Based on a report from BOMA International
