AFSCME members fought and won against billion-dollar corporations
In a victory for state employees and the communities we serve, AB5 was defeated in the 7-day special legislative session held this month.
During the special session, legislators considered a bill, Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), that would expand the state’s film tax credit to $95 million dollars a year, for 15 years. Funding for these film tax credits would come from the state’s general fund, which is the same budget that funds public services and state employees.
AFSCME Local 4041 opposed this bill because it took money from public services, and our pockets, to give a tax break to Hollywood corporations. Legislative fiscal analysts explained that this bill would force the state to raise revenue or reduce expenditures, meaning potential cuts to public services and state jobs.
AFSCME members are not against building movie studios; we are against using public funding to subsidize a billion-dollar industry.
During the special session, Local 4041 members waited hours on Saturday and Sunday at a legislative hearing to testify against AB5 and share how this bill would impact state workers and all Nevadans. Local 4041 members also showed up to share their stories with legislators during their lunch breaks and after work.
“Nevada taxpayers shouldn’t be propping up Hollywood studios at a time when so many are going without. We need our tax dollars to support our most vulnerable families. Every dollar that we’re losing to the film studios, if this bill is passed, is going to be a missed opportunity to support public services and our state employees,” said Austin Krehbiel, a family support specialist in Las Vegas.
“In a tough economy, state employees and our families are always put on the line to balance the budget. During the last regular legislative session, we were told this biennium was one of those times.The current state budget made that our reality. If passed, AB5 would be the largest corporate handout in state history while state worker salaries fall behind the cost of living,” said Blaine Harper, staff research associate in Reno.
This is a victory for all state workers – AFSCME members took on billion-dollar corporations and won. Our next victory is growing our union!
Not a union member yet? Join us today and let’s keep winning for state employees.
AFSCME In the News
State Worker Union Joins Chorus Against Nevada Film Tax Expansion Proposal
The Nevada Independent, Tabitha Muller, October 15, 2025
Nevada Senate rejects film tax credit expansion, killing marquee bill of special session
The Nevada Independent, Eric Neugeboren, October 19, 2025
Nevada Governor calls special session to consider criminal reforms, other proposals
The Associated Press, Jessica Hill, November 12, 2025
$1.8b megadeal for Las Vegas film studio dies at Legislature in ‘referendum on special interests’
The Nevada Current, April Corbin Girnus, November 19, 2025