Entertainment Union Coalition Statement on Passage of SB 132

The Entertainment Union Coalition applauds today’s announcement that the increased funding to our California Film and Television Tax Incentive Program is now official. Since Governor Newsom announced his intention to prioritize our program’s expansion late last year, our members’ activism has been the core driving force in our fight to retain and bring back good industry jobs to our state. Continue reading →

On the morning of June 26, our modernization bill went before the Senate Rev & Taxation Committee again and was unanimously moved through in preparation for its final votes. We were the only bill heard today, which serves as a testament to the support we have received to move our modernization provisions forth before the July recess. Continue reading →

Introduced yesterday by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review was a series of trailer bills (SB 132) put into print.

We are excited to share that our $750million/annual funding for our California Film and Television Jobs Program is included in it! This means that the Governor’s proposal on funding now has the support of both houses of the Legislature — which is a critical next step to move the money forward. Our lobbyists have informed us that we expect to see these trailer bills move through the budget committee JUNE 25 which will make us eligible to be heard on the floor for a final vote. To be clear, that finish line is still out in front of us but we are getting closer. Continue reading →

This week, our Entertainment Union Coalition Board traveled to Sacramento to meet with key legislators and the Governor regarding the next steps to move our trailer bill — that includes the expansion and modernization of our Film and Television Jobs Program — forward QUICKLY. 

Governor Newsom continues to express his commitment to the $750 million he has proposed for the funding of the program as a key priority in this very difficult budget year. We now need to merge the money with the programmatic changes that are in AB 1138/SB 630, and do so quickly so that we have a competitive California Film and Television Jobs Program. Critical players on these FINAL decisions are Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire. Both have been supportive of us, but they are faced with many difficult budget decisions and priorities in a year when CA is facing a significant deficit. Continue reading →

Take a moment to WATCH a short video from our Entertainment Union Coalition President, Rebecca Rhine, who breaks down the next steps of the process.

Standing together, you have sent over 10,000 individual letters to our Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener and Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel. These continue to be the key elected officials in the next phase of our fight, and these letters are critical to have your voices heard. 

This week, we achieved a major milestone in our fight, but we are not done yet.  Continue reading →