Zeek Earl, Lacey Leavitt, Misha Jakupcak, Ron Leamon, Amy Lillard, Lynn Shelton, AJ Esptein, and SJ Chiro represent the film industry in Olympia.
Washington Filmworks Executive Director Amy Lillard was in Olympia this week with film professionals to meet with Senate and House leadership regarding SB 6027. Despite the challenges of scheduling meetings during the Special Session, we were able to meet with Senator Sharon Nelson (D, 34), Senator Andy Hill (R, 45), Speaker Frank Chopp (D,43), and Representative Reuven Carlyle (D, 36), all key to moving the legislation forward.
We wanted to share the note below from the film professionals in the 36th district that nicely summarizes what we learned in Olympia this week.
A group of us that live in the 36th district traveled to Olympia Wednesday to meet with Representative Reuven Carlyle (D, 36), Chair of the House Finance Committee.
During our conversation, Representative Carlyle talked about the gridlock of the budget negotiations. With a Republican Senate and a Democratic House, the two legislative bodies can’t seem to find common ground on the majority of major issues such as funding K-12 education and a transportation package. He spoke candidly and suggested that until these major issues are resolved, no real movement on SB 6027 or on ANY tax preferences would be possible.
Representative Carlyle talked about the difficult choices he and his colleagues have to make in this budget negotiation, and how his first order of business must be to protect social services. It is clear though that he understands the program and values the film industry and its role in supporting the larger creative economy.
The most important take away from our 30-minute conversation was that there IS a path to getting SB 6027 included in the final budget – BUT the next month is critical. We must work together and think creatively about how we can keep SB 6027 in the hearts and minds of legislators.
Our efforts as a community have thus far been monumental – but we MUST KEEP GOING (we always knew this would be a marathon and not a sprint)!
If you are in Seattle, please join us at a very special Happy Hour event on Thursday, June 4 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at St. Johns Bar & Eatery (719 E. Pike) on Capitol Hill. The lobbying team that represents our industry in Olympia will be there to update the community on the status of the bill and talk specifically about what you can do to help push this thing over the finish line!
WE CAN DO THIS! PLEASE JOIN US TO KEEP FILM IN WA!!
Sincerely,
SJ Chiro
Zeek Earl
AJ Epstein
Mischa Jakupcak
Ron Leamon
Lacey Leavitt
Lynn Shelton