{"id":10698,"date":"2025-02-27T14:20:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.afm47.org\/press\/?p=10698"},"modified":"2025-06-03T10:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T17:52:38","slug":"keep-california-rolling-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afm47.org\/press\/keep-california-rolling-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Keep California Rolling’ campaign aims to boost film\/TV production"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Entertainment Union Coalition \u2014 a multi-union alliance dedicated to advocating for members in the entertainment industry on public policy issues in California \u2014 officially launched the \u2018Keep California Rolling\u2019 campaign on February 27 with a misison to protect, preserve and create jobs in the film and television industry throughout the state.<\/p>\n

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, represented by AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O\u2019Keefe, has a seat on the board of this important coalition along with the California IATSE Council, Directors Guild of America, LiUNA! Local 724, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters Local 399, and Writers Guild of America West, collectively representing over 165,000 members who live and work in California\u2019s entertainment industry. <\/p>\n

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About Keep California Rolling:<\/h2>\n

The Entertainment Union Coalition stands with Governor Newsom\u2019s inclusion of an expanded $750 million annual California Film & Television Jobs Program in the 2025-2026 budget.<\/p>\n

Unlike other economic incentives, this program is directly tied to the creation of jobs for California workers. It strengthens the economic future of our state and supports a healthy and viable motion picture industry.<\/p>\n

For over a century, California has been the heart of the global film and television industry, supporting hundreds of thousands of middle-class workers and fueling a vast network of local businesses, tourism, and economic growth. However, in recent years, increasing competition from other states and countries, compounded by economic downturns, corporate contraction and devastating wildfires, have put California\u2019s entertainment workforce and our staple and lucrative industry at risk.<\/p>\n

Expanding California\u2019s Film & Television Jobs Program is essential to ensuring the industry remains a major economic driver and continues to support jobs, businesses, and tourism in the state. Without this investment, California risks losing its status as the global entertainment capital, along with thousands of middle-class jobs and billions in economic benefits.<\/p>\n

Why Now?<\/h2>\n

The California film and television industry is at a crossroads, and the time to act is NOW<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Governor Newsom\u2019s budget proposal is a major step forward, but it\u2019s not a done deal. Expanding the California Film & Television Jobs Program requires legislative approval before the cycle ends this summer. Our focus now is on educating new legislators, budget committee members, and other elected officials to ensure their support. But we can\u2019t do this without YOU.<\/p>\n

Taking our message to Sacramento:<\/h2>\n

Next week, over 100 union and guild workers are heading to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to prioritize jobs at a key budget hearing, followed by a lobby day. (This is an open hearing, and members are welcome to attend. If you plan on attending the hearing on March 4, please email stephanie.okeefe@afm47.org<\/a> so that we may coordinate.)<\/p>\n

This trip will be the first of many to ring the alarm about the dire state of our industry and the impact on our members’ livelihood and countless businesses that rely on its success. We will share updates from the trip and the hearing throughout next week.<\/p>\n

How YOU can get involved:<\/h2>\n