By A.J. Catoline
The Motion Picture Editors Guild and California Post Alliance secured a key achievement in their campaign to bring post-production jobs back to California, as Assembly Bill 2319 — the standalone California Post-Production Tax Incentive —cleared its first procedural hurdle in the State Senate. In a hearing of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee this morning, the legislation was amended to include strengthened labor protections long sought by the Guild. The amended bill was then voted out of committee.
Following months of advocacy by Guild leaders and members, the bill was amended to include labor standards designed to ensure that the overwhelming majority of tax incentive dollars fund employers and projects that uphold the standards of our collective bargaining agreements, including industry-standard wages, health benefits, and pension contributions.
Watch a video of the hearing before the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee. Edited by Brian Chandler.
At Assemblymember Schultz’s invitation, the Editors Guild has now officially co-sponsored the legislation, marking a historic first for Local 700 to be named on a bill moving through the California Legislature.
The bill is set to sail though the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, which held its hearing on Wednesday. As of press time, the vote was held open with 3 members of the 5-member committee voting in favor and the other two yet to vote. The vote came after MPEG President F. Hudson Miller testified on behalf of the legislation, presenting more than 1,200 letters that Local 700 members and allies had written urging passage. Marielle Abaunza, President of the California Post Alliance, also a co-sponsor, testified in favor of the legislation.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Schultz urged Senators on the committee to pass a tax incentive for post-production that other states like New York and New Jersey, and countries such as Canada and Australia already offer. “I hate to say it, but California is a little late to the game on this one,” said Schultz.
In a key development, Senator Ben Allen (D-Los Angeles) offered to add his name as a co-author on the bill, which is critical as it advances on the Senate Side. Additionally Senator Tim Grayson (D-Concord) added his name as a co-author. “I don’t see this tax credit as a liability. I see this tax credit as an investment” in California, Grayson said before the committee.
Miller framed the stakes as personal and immediate.”Our California membership has shrunk more than 15 percent in the last four years, a loss of more than 1,100 hardworking, middle-class members,” Miller testified before the committee. “We have lost 3 percent of our members in the past year alone.
“These aren’t statistics to us. They’re our union sisters, brothers, and kin. They’re talented artists and craftspeople — and, yes, California taxpayers — whose lives have been upended by the employment crisis within our industry. Too many of them no longer believe they can support themselves and their families doing the work that they love, in the state that they love.”
Miller said the Guild’s support for AB 2319 reflects the urgent need to reverse the migration of post-production work away from California.
“That’s why our union loudly, proudly, and without reservation, co-sponsors this bill,” Miller added.
In the public comment part of the hearing, several Local 700 members spoke, including Board Member and American Cinema Editors Vice President Maysie Hoy.
“I’ve been a film editor for 30 years and I’ve been our of work for close to two years,” said Hoy.
Board Member Erik C. Andersen framed the stakes in stark personal terms. “I’ve never seen this business like this. I’ve lost my healthcare at a time when my wife is going through a very big health crisis. Please help us get back to work,” Andersen pleaded.
Academy Award wining Re-Recording Mixer Anna Behlner told the committee she was concerned about the next generation of the industry. “It’s very difficult to encourage the young people coming into the industry, but this bill is going to give them hope,” said Behlner.
MPEG’s Political Engagement Committee has played a central role in the campaign, rallying members to participate in advocacy events, meeting with lawmakers, sending thousands of letters in support of the legislation, and wearing buttons emblazoned with “Post Proud” that have become an enduring symbol of the campaign.
The Guild’s efforts have also drawn praise from the California Post Alliance, the bill’s initial sponsors and the Guild’s partner in advancing the legislation.
“The California Post Alliance is grateful to the Motion Picture Editors Guild for their partnership,” CAPA President Marielle Abaunza said in a statement. “Our collaboration demonstrates that our industry is standing together to protect jobs for our talented post-production workforce who help make California the heart of the entertainment industry.”
Having cleared the Assembly earlier this year with strong bipartisan support, AB 2319 still has a long road ahead before it has a chance of becoming law. The next step would be the Senate Appropriations Committee. Separately, efforts are afoot to include funding for the tax credit in the state’s budget; Assemblymember Schultz has requested $100 million in funding.
Supporters hope the combination of strengthened labor standards, broad industry backing, and organized labor support will help carry the measure through the Legislature and ultimately to the governor’s desk. This goal will require continued engagement from Local 700 members.
“We’ve been calling on our members to help pass this bill, and our members have been stepping up,” said Guild National Executive Director Scott George. “We’re going to need members to do still more, though, to get this legislation over the finish line. The next few weeks are going to be critical, but we’re hopeful we can come together to get this done.”
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