What once was considered a long shot is now law. Assembly Bill 2319 — a standalone post-production tax incentive in California — was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in a private ceremony Friday at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Starting next year, the new law will support keeping post-production jobs — chiefly union jobs — in the Golden State, where more than 6,000 active members of the Editors Guild reside and have been struggling with a work crisis.
The bill overwhelmingly passed the Assembly and Senate at the end of the legislative session, receiving broad, bipartisan support. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advocated aggressively for the measure, along with other local leaders in Southern California. Ten million dollars ($10 million) in initial funding will be allocated to get the program started, with supporters vowing to return in next year’s legislative session to seek broader funding.
As Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB2319, at the Television Academy September 18, watching from left: California IATSE Council President Brigitta Romanov, National Executive Director Scott George, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, Sound Editor Karen Baker Landers. PHOTO: Erik C. Andersen.
Gov. Newsom walked onto the stage at the Wolf Theatre, and was mindful to address the new law’s funding. “This is a down payment. This is the first step. This was just beginning,” he said.
“We saw a double-digit decrease [in the] number of folks in your [post-production] profession, with all the skills, leave the state,” Newsom continued. “So it wasn’t as if we weren’t an endangered species here. So the question was, what are we going to do about it? Thank you to all the members of the legislature for making this happen.”
Gesturing to leaders of the Editors Guild, California IATSE council, and California Post Alliance, and members in the hall, he said: “I’m grateful to all the leaders behind me and leaders in front of us in the audience, all of you for stewarding this process, encouraging this, demanding this, highlighting this, and reminding us that we’ve got to be more competitive. If you want to do well in the future, you’ve got invest in it,” he said to applause and cheers.
As the governor picked up his pen, Assemblymember Schultz said: “I think this is a testament to when a community comes together with a good idea and government listens, incredible things can happen. This victory is for all of you.” And then the bill was signed into law.
The Editors Guild and the California Post Alliance co-sponsored the bill, which is seen as a necessary step to level the playing field for editors, assistant editors, mixers and other post-production workers who have seen their work lured away to other states and countries with powerful tax incentives.
“This is a historic day for our members and for the future of post in California,” said Editors Guild National Executive Director Scott George. “The legislature’s bold action and the governor’s signature ensure that California will continue to be a magnet for talent and will continue to export entertainment beloved around the world. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Governor, to Assemblymember Nick Schultz and to all of our champions in the legislature, to the California IATSE Council, and, of course, to our partners in the California Post Alliance.”
Signed, sealed, delivered. AB2319 is now law. PHOTO: Erik C. Andersen.
“We owe this victory not only to lawmakers and, of course, to Gov. Newsom, but also to the activism of our members and partners,” added Editors Guild President F. Hudson Miller. “Post-production professionals work behind the scenes in dark rooms, unseen, to craft entertainment that dazzles. But for months our union has asked members to get out there and make some noise in order to save our industry. They absolutely delivered.”
“Under-employment in California is not a worker problem, it is structural business problem,” continued Miller. “It became clear that we couldn’t solve the employment problem until we solved the California post-production business model. By implementing a standalone California tax incentive, it will the level the playing field with other states and countries and allow our members to complete on the merits of their work.” What was once viewed as a potential multi-year effort, culminated in eight legislative months since the bill was first introduced in February.
MPEG’s Political Engagement Committee crafted a campaign and a Post Proud logo that became a hopeful symbol to those struggling to find work as it appeared on thousands of buttons. Guild members and supporters rallied, flew to Sacramento, spoke at hearings, wrote thousands of letters and made thousands of calls.
“A critical function of unions is to engage in the political arena, to seek better conditions for workers beyond the bargaining table and in public policy,” said PEC co-chairs A.J. Catoline and Elisa Cohen in a statement. “To all members and allies who lent their voices to this campaign to keep post alive, to organize and not agonize, let’s enjoy this win today and be post proud.”
MPEG Board members with Governor Newsom. From left: Maysie Hoy, Vice President Shiran Miller, National Executive Director Scott George, Lillian Benson, Erik C. Andersen, California IATSE Council President Brigitta Romanov, Austin Scott. Photo by Erik C. Andersen.
Congratulations Mr. Post Law!
