1. Health insurance, politics, and you
2. Huge election-day surge
3. Freelancers U: Class is now in session
4. California harvest: It’s time to pick your freelancer friends
5. Gift, workspace, and film discounts
6. Freelancers in the news

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1. Health insurance, politics, and you

In New York this week, Governor Paterson signed a law that enables freelancers to come together as a group for insurance, just as companies and unions do. Does this mean we’re going establishment? Not a chance. Freelancers Union will continue to be innovating and advocating for its members. Now we just have one less thing to worry about—protecting our model from stuck-in-the-past folks who just didn’t get it. Read more about the new law and thank the governor.

What about national health reform? Read about the freelancer perspective.

2. Huge election-day surge

The votes are in: Freelancers Union’s aggressive get-out-the-vote operation helped power 16 candidates to victory or run-off in this week’s New York City Democratic primary election. How did we do it? We organized big-time for forward-thinking candidates.

In the Comptroller and Public Advocate races, endorsed candidates David Yassky and Bill de Blasio performed remarkably in crowded fields and are preparing for an intense run-off election on September 29. Volunteer to help them out, and don’t forget to vote!

3. Freelancers U: Class is now in session

How do you avoid client nonpayment? What do you need to include in a contract? Get answers to these questions and more from the convenience of your own home during our September 30 webinar, Legal Basics for Every Freelancer: Protect Yourself and Your Business.

Effectively handling your finances is key for independent workers. To hunker down and create that spending plan you know you need, sign up for our October 14 or 28 seminars in New York, Master Your Money Moves 101 (or 201, for in-depth details on investment and retirement matters).

4. California harvest: It’s time to pick your freelancer friends

Before the autumnal equinox next week, tell two of your California freelance friends to join Freelancers Union. We’re closing in on our goal of 10,000 California members by the end of the summer, but we still need your help! The more members in California, the more perks and benefits we can offer, so tell all the independent workers you know to sign up today!

5. Gift, workspace, and film discounts

Members (that’s you!) have access to all sorts of discounts. Check out our September picks:

Receive up to 15% off your purchase at GiftTree.com, which offers a wide assortment of wine and gourmet gift baskets, flowers, and more. You can even personalize your gifts with your company name or message.

Occupying three floors of a sunny, historic building, and entirely energized by wind power, Studio Guild offers workstations at a $50 discount to Freelancers Union members. Leases are all month to month and allow for 24/7 access. Price includes rent, utilities, web access, cleaning, water, conference room, and kitchen.

Receive 50% off your first month’s rent at Suite 200, which offers flexible office space and support services to freelancers. Forget cramped cubicles—this space has an open layout and professional meeting space for clients. Services include internet, fax, scanning, copying and phone access, as well as printing and basic office supplies.

Purchase passes to this weekend’s Independent Filmmaker Conference, and select Freelancers Union from the drop-down menu to receive a discount. You can also receive 20% off annual memberships by entering discount code PROMOTEIFW.

6. Freelancers in the news

What will health reform mean for freelancers? Hear the conversation on WNYC. New York magazine also wrote about the difficulty freelancers have in accessing mortgages.