Local 802’s efforts on behalf of our members extend all the way to the halls of Albany (and beyond), where Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal is a top focus right now. I recently traveled there to meet with key officials and to make the case for Local 802 members.

The one big question we have going into the 2025 NYS Legislative Session is this: why does our Film Tax Credit – designed to incentivize film production to stay in our state and create jobs across the entertainment industry – still not extend to the musicians that bring color to the big screen?

As we tackle the question above in the coming months, we are encouraged by many of the programs inside Gov. Hochul’s budget. There are several proposals that will positively affect the musicians of Local 802 – as well as all New Yorkers. I want to touch on five of them:

#1 MORE FILM GIGS: Gov. Hochul’s budget would extend and enhance the New York Film Tax Credit — including a $100 million incentive for indie studios — encouraging more producers to hire local musicians. 

#2 MORE BROADWAY SHOWS: Gov. Hochul’s budget would extend the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit and increase the amount to $400 million, encouraging more Broadway shows. 

#3 MORE EDUCATION: Gov. Hochul’s budget would invest in cultural arts and education, including $5 million for art and music instruction, $34 million for library construction grants, and $15 million for youth programming, including music lessons.

#4 MORE SAFETY: Gov. Hochul’s budget would invest in safety: everything from more patrol officers in subways to $10 million in neighborhood investments to new policies that specifically target gender-based violence.

#5 MORE HEALTH CARE RELIEF: The governor proposes a one-year extension of the COBRA premium assistance program for displaced entertainment employees. This program helps our members by helping pay for health insurance if you lose your gig and fall off the Local 802 plan.

I encourage you to visit https://www.budget.ny.gov/ and examine the budget for yourselves.

We applaud Gov. Hochul’s state budget proposal and I want our members to know that Local 802 is deeply involved on these issues, especially as it relates to getting music scoring covered as part of the NYS Film Tax Credit. It is crucial work, because in the end it’s not just big ideas that make a difference – it comes down to funding. Please contact Local 802’s political department if you have any questions about this process. You can reach us at political@local802afm.org. 

LOCAL 802 ENDORSES MARK LEVINE FOR NYC COMPTROLLER

On Jan. 23, Local 802 became the first labor union to endorse in the New York City Comptroller race, backing Mark Levine. Local 802 President Robert Suttmann said: “The musicians of Local 802 are proud to back Mark Levine for Comptroller because he’s had our backs, and we know he will stand with labor. Throughout his career, Mark has always been on the side of working people, and when the pandemic hit, he was a valuable voice for all New Yorkers. I know as Comptroller, he will take on the important issues our members care about: affordable housing, lowering costs, and making sure New York remains a destination for the world.”

New York City Comptroller Candidate Mark Levine said: “It’s an honor to get the first labor endorsement in this race, and have it come from the world-class workers of Local 802 who help enrich New York’s cultural life is humbling. Local 802 are the hard-working people who bring our Broadway shows, plays and concerts to life and as a worldwide destination, their success is New York’s success. Together, we will take on the cost of living, build affordable housing and make sure New York remains a place where people want to visit for our incredible culture, arts, and music.”

Local 802 will be placing all of its endorsements on this page. As a reminder, Local 802 makes official endorsements by assessing the field of candidates and determining which candidates might best represent the needs of musicians. We invite select candidates to fill out a questionnaire, followed by individual interviews and an eventual appearance before the union’s Executive Board. (Not every candidate will be offered all of these opportunities.) The Executive Board ultimately votes to endorse a candidate. 

NYC ELECTION TIMELINE

• Primary election: June 24, 2025
• General election: Nov. 4, 2025
• Registration deadline: 10 days before election day
• Register to vote: www.vote.nyc

In addition to any of Local 802’s upcoming endorsements, you can always get a snapshot of the NYC labor movement’s endorsements at https://laborvotes.nyc . Those endorsements will most likely be posted closer to the primary election.

DONATE TO LOCAL 802’S POLITICAL EFFORTS

As I wrote about last month, our political efforts are much more impactful when we support our endorsed candidates with much-needed financial resources. Local 802 is able to do this when members voluntarily donate to our political action funds. We recently modernized our donation process and are using a highly-respected platform called ActBlue to accept donations. I encourage you to visit our ActBlue page and sign up for monthly (or one-time donations). If you have questions, e-mail our political department at political@local802afm.org. Thank you for your support!

TRUMP PARALYZES LABOR BOARD

I’ve saved the bad news for last. It’s no surprise that President Trump is no friend of the labor movement. In his second week of office, Trump dismissed General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo (the head of the board), as well as NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox. Dismissing Ms. Abruzzo could fall in the realm of past practice, but dismissing Ms. Wilcox is yet another unprecedented (and possibly illegal) act from Trump. Under the law, the general counsel serves at the pleasure of the president, but NLRB board members can only be dismissed for “neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.” The labor board already had three vacancies, so by dismissing Ms. Abruzzo and Ms. Wilcox, the board does not have a quorum and cannot get business done, including certifying labor elections or mediating labor disputes. This is how the AFL-CIO put it: “President Trump’s firing of NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board, is illegal and will have immediate consequences for working people. By leaving only two board members in their posts, the President has effectively shut down the National Labor Relations Board’s operations, leaving the workers it defends on their own in the face of union-busting and retaliation. Alongside the firing of NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, these moves will make it easier for bosses to violate the law and trample on workers’ legal rights on the job and fundamental freedom to organize. Member Wilcox has already indicated she will challenge her firing, and we fully expect she will succeed in the courts and be restored to her position so she can continue to be a critical pro-worker voice on the NLRB.”