-PRESS RELEASE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2007
MESSAGE TO INTERIOR DESIGN CARTEL:
"NO MORE “FLYING UNDER THE RADAR”
Concord, NH – In no uncertain terms, the message to the pro-regulation faction is that from now on a spotlight will be shinning on their activities and statements. The Institute for Justice hosted a conference on September 8th in the D.C. area, gathering opponents to interior design regulation from throughout the United States and Canada. The conference was attended by many well-known and highly respected individuals and organizations in the field of interior design, including The National Kitchens and Baths Association, The Interior Design Society, The American Institute of Architects, The American Institute of Interior Design, Decorating Den Inc., interior design entrepreneurs, and an Appeals Court Judge.
The goal of the conference “Pulling the Curtains on the Interior Design Cartel,” was to form strategy on ways to resist the cartelization efforts led by The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) within the interior design community, as well as repeal existing laws.
Presentations made by the Institute for Justice included Jennifer Perkins, Staff Attorney with a power point presentation outlining the legal basics of interior design regulation, followed by Clark Neily, Senior Attorney who gave a presentation entitled “Why Let Facts Get in the Way? The Cartel’s Favorite Arguments for Regulation and Why They’re Wrong.” Bob Ewing, Communications Coordinator spoke to the group regarding tips on attracting the media.
A case study in mobilizing effective resistance to interior design regulation was delivered by Patti Morrow, Director of Live Free and Design, NH and author of “Getting Grassroots Galvanized.” Lynne Forde Breyer of Arizona Interior Design Alert relayed important tips on how to grow your grassroots effort, and Ed Nagorsky, General Council and Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Kitchens and Baths Association spoke on the role of industry groups in resisting regulation. A time of questions, answers, and strategy followed the lectures.
“There is simply no evidence that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any form of jeopardy,” said Morrow, to which Breyer added, “We are not going to just sit back and let ASID hijack our profession!” Nagorsky further stated, "This is a call by a small handful of designers who have a stake in saying that they satisfy the arbitrary qualifications which they wish to set but others do not."
Great enthusiasm met an announcement that a revised and updated edition of Dick Carpenter's "Designing Cartels" is due to be released this Fall, with more statistics and "amunition" for those opposing regulation.
The conference is historic in that this is the first multi-state gathering to form a cohesive national force to fight the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) 30-year effort which has sought to restrict the occupational freedom and violate the constitutional rights of those in the interior design profession. Plans to assist each other with varied experience and talents were made, as well as tentative plans for the 2008 conference.
In states where legislation has previously passed, it has been mainly because the bills are kept cloaked in secrecy and the design community is not made aware of them until it is too late, many times casting unsuspecting, honest and hard working designers overnight into unknowingly practicing their trade illegally. Additionally, many times regulation proponents initially seek the lesser restrictive title act. “This is called ‘camel’s-nose-under-the-tent,’” said Neily. “In all cases they come back at a later date and try to quietly amend the title law into a practice law.”
The "design freedom conference" is determined that that will not continue. “The days of the ASID-backed legislation 'flying under the radar' are OVER!” stated Neily. Morrow added, “So far this year, eleven states have proposed interior design regulation – to date, all have failed to be enacted.”
The Institute for Justice is a public interest law firm that defends free speech and economic liberty nationwide.
