ALT “This bill is an important step forward for California’s live arts industry and the thousands of arts workers who have still not fully recovered from the COVID shutdown,” said Kate Shindle, President of Actors’ Equity Association. “In signing this bill, Gov. Newsom clearly understands that the live arts are a huge economic driver in communities across California. Our work is not over, as we must now secure funding for this program in the next session. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Portantino, who brought this innovative bill to the floor for a vote, and hope that Gov. Newsom will work with our coalition to fund it.”