1. The freelance slate: 2009 NYC elections
2. Freelancers Union wins tax justice
3. The California grapevine
4. Freelancers U: class in session this fall
5. From the health insurance corner
6. Hot discounts and perks
7. Freelancers in the news

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1. The freelance slate: 2009 NYC elections

Freelancers Union is proud to announce its endorsements for the 2009 New York City elections. Among the candidates receiving the Freelancers Union endorsement is David Yassky for Comptroller.

Without David Yassky, we never would have won Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT) reform. And, without his initiative in holding multiple City Council hearings on independent worker issues, other policymakers would still be unaware of our constituency. To boot, David’s the only Comptroller candidate to have a dedicated independent worker platform (pdf).

David Yassky will continue to fight to meet the needs of freelancers, but we need to get him elected in order to do so. To ensure a brighter future for freelancers in NYC, take these steps right now:

• Sign up to volunteer. From phonebanking to door-knocking, there are opportunities galore.
• Join our Facebook group, and help spread the word about David Yassky.
• Update your voter registration before August 21. (And vote September 15!)

2. Freelancers Union wins tax justice

New York freelancers won a major victory this July. New York City finally exempted freelancers earning less than $100,000 from the Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT), an unfair double tax on freelancers' business and personal incomes that drained $162 million from them last year alone. Freelancers Union and its members waged an aggressive campaign for fair taxation—urging lawmakers to tax freelancers no less—and no more—than traditional employees. Starting in 2009, NYC freelancers will see savings of up to $3400.

Thanks for all you did—this victory and all the ones to come are dependent on your support. We're still overtaxed, under-insured, and unrepresented—but our victory proves that when freelancers come together, we're a powerful force for change.

3. The California grapevine

We’re closing in on our goal of 10,000 California members by the end of the summer, but we still need your help! Tell two or more of your independent worker film, graphic designer, or dog-walking friends to sign up now, so that we can bring more to you.

Meanwhile, take advantage of what we already do offer in CA. As a sponsor of the 2nd annual Creative Freelancer Conference (from August 26-28 in San Diego), Freelancers Union members save $75 off the full-conference registration. Use coupon code FRUN9 when registering. And, if you bring a friend, the second registration is half price.

4. Freelancers U: class in session this fall

How do you engage an audience and build a following? Register now for our September 16 New York seminar, Storytelling and Social Media for Freelancers: How to Create Compelling Content and Market Your Freelance Business, where you’ll find out how to create a niche for yourself by investing time and effort—while spending less money.

From the convenience of your own home, you can also find out how to avoid client nonpayment and what you need to include in a contract during our September 30 webinar, Legal Basics for Every Freelancer: Protect Yourself and Your Business.

5. From the health insurance corner

Two big health insurance projects have been happening this summer. Our web design team is busily making over the health insurance section of the Freelancers Union website. We’ve tested and re-tested with members so that the new design will make it easier to choose insurance plans, understand if you’re eligible for insurance, and learn how to manage the insurance you do have. Freelancers Insurance Company (FIC) is finishing up the specifics of next year’s plans. We’ve heard from members what they liked and didn’t like about their coverage, and we’re working to incorporate your input as much as possible. If you’re on health insurance, keep an eye out for more information from us as we move toward open enrollment this fall.

6. Hot discounts and perks

Members (that’s you!) have access to all sorts of discounts. Check out what’s hot in August:

Gym
Pay no initiation fee and get a discounted membership when you sign up for a year membership with Equinox Gym before September 1, 2009.

Workspace
Brooklyn-based design center 3rd Ward is giving away a free bike with any annual membership. Their space houses four photo studios, a professional wood and metal shop, a fully loaded digital media lab, office space, event space, and a multi-disciplinary continuing art education program.

Marketing
If you don't have a marketing plan in place and don't know where to start, join the Marketing and Pricing Group for Brooklyn Creatives with Ilise Benun of Marketing-Mentor.com. The 6-month program starts September 28. Sign up by August 31, and get a free copy of The Art of Self Promotion.

7. Freelancers in the news

Freelancers continue to make the news as more and more workers go independent. Here are some of the most interesting stories of the last month: BusinessWeek says companies are hiring contract workers instead of full-time employees; The Wall Street Journal reports that freelancers have a hard time taking any time off, but at least they give you advice on getting paid, since you do work so hard.