Fantastic day of action in Sacramento at the Rally to Repeal AB 5​

It was a fantastic day of action in Sacramento at the Rally to Repeal AB 5​, hosted by Assemblyman Kevin Kiley​ and Melissa Melendez​. My bud and Faithfully Live​ colleague Jeff Salado​ were there to hear the compelling speakers at the event -- chronicling many groups of indy contractor professional careers -- including musicians -- devastated by the new law here in CA. https://tinyurl.com/qrwa5oq

It was important for us to make the drive to Sac not only because of the rally, but to tag team and meet with our lawmakers -- Assemblymembers and State Senators -- to express our thoughts and stories about AB5's impact on musicians (and writers, like myself). When it comes to constituent lobbying, it's just as powerful to meet with the chiefs of staff of the lawmakers, who are incredibly knowledgeable and have their ears to the ground on pending legislation, and they are often more accessible. We met with and delivered detailed formal letters about AB5 from a personal perspective to:

* State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-12) and her Chief of Staff Aracely Campa - YES on AB5;
* Chief of Staff for State Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-05), Bob Alvarez - YES on AB5;
* Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-12) - NO on AB5;
* Staffer for Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-21) - NO on AB5.

The conversations were illuminating, particularly with those who initially voted YES on AB5 -- and how ALL want major changes given the colossal, career-threatening problems it has created for independent contractors professionals. I'll probably do a writeup on my blog or for Freelancers Against AB5​. One of the members of the group, Peter Kalivas​, spoke at the event: https://youtu.be/KXi8mJYD9IM



All have heard from many, many constituents about repealing or amending AB5 so keep it up with the personal stories (NOTE TO MUSICIANS in District 5 -- Sen. Galgiani's rep had NOT heard from music professionals before Jeff and I walked through the door today).

There are quite a few bills submitted that will be evaluated by the end of February -- including repeal, additional exemptions, and a small business exemption -- those and a number of others will be in the mix.  We plan to do follow-up meetings with the lawmakers as bills move forward to get a clear sense of their positions on the options to deal with AB5.

All the conversations were polite and engaging, and they welcome you to contact and meet with them, either in their Sac or local offices. They really do appreciate constituents who take the time to do their homework on the issues. They need your input to stop this insanity.

How to find your lawmaker to write/call/visit with: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

NOTE: Contractor John Vogel (https://twitter.com/Vogel4Assembly) is running against AB5's sponsor, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-80), and promises to fight to repeal AB5.

Learn more at my pad: http://www.pamspaulding.net/

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Good reads...  

• See Big Labor, the AFL-CIO, use a sockpuppet Twitter account to front for pro-AB5 "gig workers"
• California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors 
• Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5 (Pam)
• AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules (exemptions)
• Why misclassification is a problem
• Will This California Law End Freelance Work?
• What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption
• How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz
• Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom 
• Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5 (Dec 30). 
• What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)
• Employment Determination Worksheet (State of CA PDF checklist test)
• How to find your lawmaker to write/call: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov