A Message from AFM International President Tino Gagliardi

For the past several months, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has lobbied on behalf of musicians regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-2026 Budget. For the first time, the AFM has taken a strong, proactive position to ensure we are heard in Sacramento. With thanks to Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President Stephanie O’Keefe and AFM local leaders up and down the state, we have been successful. Our union now has a seat at the table among the other arts and entertainment unions and guilds.

It is clear to me that Governor Newsom’s proposed expansion of the California Film & Television Job Program to $750 million will benefit working musicians. The increase would make California’s incentive program competitive with those in other countries. It will do so as a true jobs package. There are no winners and losers or special carve-outs.

When the production companies are bound by our contracts, more film and television production in California means more work for AFM members.

The proposal will:

• Strengthen the bonus points incentive for scoring;
• Favor musicians’ jobs within the bonus points system;
• Increase the project cap from $100 million to $120 million;
• Raise tax credits to 35% of qualified expenditures and up to 45% for out-of-zone productions; and
• Include animated films and television, half-hour shows, and limited unscripted shows creating more scoring opportunities for California musicians.

Because of the stark economic and political realities in California, this is, without a doubt, the best possible outcome for our members. There are no viable alternatives. We must not sacrifice our current strength in Sacramento in favor of ideas that fail to appreciate the realities in the state.

We must not lose sight of our long-term advocacy goals. Our coalition is receiving data from the California Film Commission to assess the efficacy of a bonus points system—information previously thought to be unattainable. We will continue to fight for what is best for musicians.

If we do not have a shared goal, we risk coming away with nothing. Every press conference and legislative hearing is evidence that the passage of the incentive is not a foregone conclusion.

I look forward to continuing to work together.

In Solidarity,

Tino Gagliardi
AFM International President