Source: SAG -AFTRA
February 27, 2025
When our industry thrives, California thrives.
Today, we are thrilled to announce the official launch of Keep California Rolling, a campaign coordinated by the Entertainment Union Coalition — which includes SAG-AFTRA — to safeguard, strengthen and create jobs in California’s film and television industry.
The rollout of the new campaign comes on the heels of a press conference held yesterday at SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles. SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher; Vice President, Los Angeles and Los Angeles Local President Jodi Long; and National Board member Jason George joined L.A. City Mayor Karen Bass, elected officials, union leaders and small business owners in celebrating the introduction of two new bills introduced by California state Senator Ben Allen and California state Assembly members Rick Chavez Zbur and Isaac Bryan. Senate Bill 630 and Assembly Bill 1138 will strengthen and modernize the Hollywood Film Tax Credit, keeping productions and jobs in California.
Fisher and George are co-chairs of SAG-AFTRA’s National Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee, which advocates for legislation that benefits the union’s members.
You can view the press conference here.
About Keep California Rolling
The Entertainment Union Coalition fully supports Gov. Gavin Newsom’s inclusion of an expanded $750 million annual California Film & Television Jobs Program in the 2025-2026 state budget.
Unlike other economic incentives, this program is directly tied to the creation of jobs for California workers, ensuring a prosperous future for our state and maintaining a thriving motion picture industry.
For more than a century, California has been the beating heart of the global film and television industry, employing hundreds of thousands of workers and driving significant economic growth through local businesses, tourism and a vibrant creative sector. However, rising competition from other states and countries, coupled with economic challenges, corporate downsizing and devastating wildfires have placed our industry — and the livelihoods of thousands of workers — at risk.
Why Now Is Critical
The time to act is now. California’s film and television industry stands at a crossroads. While Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal is a crucial step forward, it’s not yet a done deal. The expansion of the California Film & Television Jobs Program still requires legislative approval before the budget cycle ends this summer.
Our priority now is to educate new legislators, budget committee members and other elected officials on the importance of this program. But we can’t do it without YOU.
Taking Action in Sacramento
Next week, over 100 union and guild members will travel to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to prioritize California jobs during a key budget hearing, followed by a lobby day. This will be the first of many efforts to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect our industry, the livelihoods it supports, and the local businesses that rely on its success. We’ll share updates from the trip and hearing throughout next week.
How You Can Get Involved
- Visit our campaign website: Learn more about the Keep California Rolling campaign and how we’re fighting to preserve jobs across the state. Visit: KeepCaliforniaRolling.org
- Read the California Film & Television Jobs Program Impact Report: Gain a deeper understanding of how this program benefits not just our industry, but entire communities across California. Download the report here: bit.ly/EUCJobsProgramReport
- Find your legislators: With 45% of state legislators having been elected to the office for the first time in the past three years, educating and advocating for our cause is more important than ever. Locate your local Assembly and Senate representatives, and get ready to reach out. A toolkit with further details will be coming soon.
- Follow us on social media: Stay up to date with campaign efforts by following us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky and X.
- Sign and share our pledge: Join us in taking targeted actions to amplify our message. Signing up will ensure you receive important updates, action items and opportunities to get involved. Sign the pledge here.
We will also be rolling out toolkits and sample messages soon, so you’ll have everything you need to make your voice heard with elected officials.
Join the Fight to Protect Jobs, Stabilize Our Industry, and Grow California’s Film and TV Workforce
When our industry thrives, California thrives. Together, we can ensure that California remains the global leader in film and television production, creating jobs, supporting families and driving economic prosperity for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
