Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1011062
We celebrate the achievement of the California IATSE Council and the California Film & Television Production Alliance successfully getting Gov. Brown's signature on the California state budget, within which was our Film and Television Tax Incentive, again for $330 million per year for five years. We started the new push for the incentive early, knowing the chal- lenges that productions face in securing locations and preproduction. This brings smiles to our faces knowing that our members across the state have secured seven more years of increased employment. Getting the incentive accomplished was an entirely different movement than the first one. This time, we had political alliances formed that once again included labor and business. The CIC was not alone in this fight. We thank the bill's authors, Majority Leader Ian Calderon and Sen. Holly Mitchell, for their commitment and stand- ing steadfastly with us from the beginning, as well as Speaker Rendon and Senate Pro Tempore Atkins for getting us across the finish line. Our sisters and broth- ers in DGA, Teamsters, Laborers and SAG/AFTRA who worked side by side with us. We also want to thank the co-sponsors Sen. Portantino, Stern, Allen, Dodd, Wilk, Fuller, Galgiani, Lara and Wieckowski (original bill SB 951) and Assemblymembers Nazarian Bloom, Bonta, Gonzales-Fletcher, Santiago, Acosta, Friedman and Waldron (original bill AB 1734). Most of all, we owe thanks to you—especially the many members who turned out to have their photos taken, record a video to encourage Gov. Brown to extend the tax incen- tive or signed "thank you" cards to the elected representa- tives in Sacramento. (Please read Julie Socash's article.) Gratitude to our members who reached out to alert me about a senate bill (SB 999) that would have gutted the California Cosmetology Act. Sen. Mike Morrell (Rancho Cucamonga) presented a bill that would have made it unnecessary for hair stylists to have a license to shampoo, style, blow dry and basically do anything that didn't require chemicals (like Drybar). We realized that this could have a very negative impact on our collective bargaining agreements that require a full cosmetology license (Film, TV, Disneyland). Sen. Morrell completely devalued and insulted the craft of hair styling, the public health and safety issues, and the vast training that is neces- sary as the foundation for the advanced hair stylists in our industry. The misinformation he delivered to the senate was convincing enough that it quietly passed through their committees with very little opposition. That's when the alarms went off and Local 706 members alerted me, and I linked up with the State Board of Cosmetology, the Professional Beauty Association and then the California Labor Federation joined us. Cosmetologists from all over the state came to the Business and Professions Committee in the California Assembly. More than 100 cosmetologists, salon owners, students and related businesses from all over the state came to support us at the Capitol, as we voiced our opposition to the committee. The President of the State Board of Cosmetology, Dr. Kari Williams, presented the opposition for the state, and I testified presenting the argument that lowering the bar was not only a disservice to our employ- ers who expect highly skilled employees, but a public safety issue as well. I gave my testimony in opposition of the bill (yes, for once I actually was nervous), then everyone who came to Sacramento had their time at the microphone. When everyone was done, the senator had time for rebuttal to our opposition (digging himself deeper into the quagmire), then there were Q&As from the committee members. Finally, came the vote. You could have cut the air with a knife as we sat quietly, counting each Assembly member's vote. We held our breath as the votes were counted—the final tally was 14 Noes, three Ayes and two who didn't show up. Not only were we hugely victorious, we locked in some wonderful, supportive relationships who want us to remain involved to fight the ever-growing forces for deregulation of licensing in California. Thanks to every one of you who made calls and sent emails to all of those legislators—you really made a huge difference, and thank you to everyone who encouraged me to fight for you in Sacramento. If you had told me 15 years ago I'd be testifying in front of legislators, I'd have said you were slightly (fill in the blank), but thank you for having faith. Sue Cabral-ebert President Supervising Editor Jeff angell Contributing Writers SuSan Cabral-ebert tommy Cole randy Sayer Julie SoCaSh Publisher ingledodd media Office Manager Kathy Sain Mailing List Manager diane burnS The Artisan is published quarterly by Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706, 828 No. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 Phone (818) 295-3933. Fax 818-295-3930 All editorial and photo submissions should be sent to email address: susan@ialocal706.org Advertising: IngleDodd Media (310) 207-4410 muahs@IngleDodd.com www.IngleDoddMedia.com Officers of I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 President Susan Cabral-Ebert Vice President Julie Socash Recording Secretary Vanessa Dionne Secretary-Treasurer John E. Jackson Sergeant-at-Arms Barbara Dally Business Representative Tommy Cole Official Magazine of Hollywood Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists. Published in the Interest of ALL the Members of Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 FROM THE PRESIDENT ...our members across the state have secured seven more years of increased employment. " "