The arts are under attack: Help KML save the Performing arts equitable payroll fund
Executive Director Emma McCool, representing Killing My Lobster at an arts rally and press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Killing My Lobster, like many arts organizations, cannot cover operating costs through ticket sales alone (unless we charged an exorbitant amount for sketch comedy, which would be a bummer). We depend on both government and private grants and foundations; especially since the passage of AB5 in 2020, a payroll law initially aimed at rideshare and delivery companies, but included arts organizations as an additional casualty. Those large companies escaped AB5, but small theatre organizations did not—and our costs skyrocketed.
Since then, there has been painstaking advocacy efforts to put together SB-1116, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (or PAEPF). This $11.5 million fund was created to reimburse arts organizations complying with AB5. KML is eligible to receive up to 80% of our payroll expenses through it. If we're awarded this money, it would be transformative for us.
AND YET, THE PERFORMING ARTS EQUITABLE PAYROLL FUND IS NOW IN JEOPARDY.
Governor Newsom’s May budget revision proposes cutting the entire $11.5 million from the fund, despite widespread support and years of advocacy. Many in the field were surprised; the belief was that these funds had already been committed.
Arts journalist Lily Janiak recently covered this in the Chronicle (read her piece here).
We need your voice.
Grassroots pressure is more important than ever. Phone calls are the most impactful, but every action helps. Below are resources compiled by the California Arts Council and SFBATCO, for action that you can take to express your support for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund.
Sign the petition: Demand the CA legislature restore the Equitable Payroll Fund! They need all the signatures they can get.
Make phone calls: Call Your State Legislator Campaign- this is a cool feature where you input some information and they connect you with the correct legislator, along with their phone number and a script. Phone calls are considered more effective than email.
Call the budget committee’s office at (916) 319-2099.
Call the Governor’s office at (916) 445-2841.
If you prefer email, send it to the CA State budget committee at AsmBudget@asm.ca.gov and c/c the consultant of the subcommittee, Genevieve McCloy at genevieve.mccloy@asm.ca.gov.
Some scripts! SFBATCO put together some wonderful ones HERE.
Give public comment at the Capitol: Sign up to be on-call for when they need advocates in the hearings. You must be able to travel to Sacramento.
Spread the word: Share this info with your networks, colleagues, audiences, and board members.
There is strength in numbers. Advocacy is one of the few tools we have to protect the arts in California. Let’s use it.
Thank you, truly, for being part of this.
