Throughout the year, you may have noticed that you occasionally receive emails from SAG-AFTRA or see notices on our website titled “Action Alert” or “Call to Action.” These are opportunities for you to get involved with pieces of legislation that support the industry and SAG-AFTRA’s efforts in those spaces. When you see these, I want to encourage you to take a minute to participate. These notices will provide instructions on how to engage in the process. The resources will often direct you to a site that will generate a prewritten email that is sent directly to your elected officials, but you can also edit the correspondence to fit your style and personal story. It’s a super-simple process and very helpful!
This is a great time to learn about some of our recent and upcoming efforts. Below you’ll find information on three important legislative bills, and I’ve also included a link so you can take action on supporting the American Music Fairness Act today .
- The American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), just introduced in the Senate with bipartisan support, ensures that singers and musicians are compensated when their music is played on AM/FM radio.
- The CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair style or texture for all federally-assisted programs, public accommodations, and employment passed in the House and has been introduced in the Senate.
- The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act, introduced by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Virgina, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, would modernize the tax code for Qualified Performing Artists, raising the cap to $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples filing jointly. SAG-AFTRA has not sent out a “Call to Action” on this yet, but be on the lookout for it. We hope you’ll reach out to your elected representatives when the time comes.
At our last Local Board meeting, we had the opportunity to speak with the federal lobbyists that assist SAG-AFTRA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy department. They encouraged us, when the opportunity arises, to send emails to Congress, post about the efforts in social media and to be ready with an elevator pitch if a special “inside the beltway” opportunity arises.
Locally, there are other ways to help support SAG-AFTRA. Coming up on Friday, Oct. 21, the Maryland Film Industry Coalition is hosting their 11th Annual Reel to Real Party. This is their annual fundraiser that supports their efforts to improve the business conditions for the film industry in Maryland and increase film incentives.
Let’s do everything we can to help make sure our members are treated and compensated fairly, and support bringing more work to our region. Start with supporting the American Music Fairness Act, keeping an eye open for future action alerts and calls to action, and making sure you are registered to vote on Nov. 8.
I hope you and your families were not affected by Hurricane Ian or Fiona. But if so, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation has activated its disaster relief program for eligible members. To find out how to apply or to donate funds, click this link.
In solidarity,
Kathryn