California
Related: About this forumSupport the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act
A CA film tax credit bill has been approved by a legislative committee but Gov. Brown is still undecided on it. We need it in order to compete with other states who offer substantial tax incentives to bring the business to their states. Jobs are leaving CA and the tax credits would help retain some of them and keep the industry going here. Please see petition following the story excerpt and please sign it and pass it on to people you know.
The proposal, which aims to stem so-called runaway film and TV production, would renew and boost a state tax credit to better compete with subsidies and studios elsewhere.
By Marc Lifsher
March 25, 2014, 7:01 p.m.
SACRAMENTO Proposed legislation aimed at providing more tax credits to attract so-called runaway movie and television productions back to the industry's birthplace in California won initial approval from a legislative committee Tuesday.
The proposal would renew and increase a state tax credit amounting to as much as $400 million a year to better compete with generous tax subsidies available in more than 40 states, including New York, Louisiana, New York and Michigan, as well as studios in Canada and Britain.
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The movie industry, supporters said, is too important to California's economy, history and image to be allowed to slip away. "This is our industry to keep or lose," said Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica). "We need to send a message to New York, England and other states competing for our jobs and say, 'It stops here.'"
The bill, AB 1839 by Assemblymen Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), passed Tuesday on a 7-0 bipartisan vote by the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee. Gatto said he expects an easy transit through the Assembly but conceded that the bill might face more skepticism in the Senate and governor's office. Gov. Jerry Brown has not taken a public position.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-film-tax-credit-20140326,0,937039.story
Please sign the petition to keep more film and TV industry jobs in CA.
Call to Action: State Leaders Must Reclaim Film & Television Production Jobs & Keep California Competitive
California Must Act to Reclaim Production Jobs and Economic Opportunity
The motion picture industry has long called California its home and has grown into one of Americas greatest and most lucrative exports, a cultural touchstone known around the world, an economic engine for jobs and business and a tourist magnet. Combined, the industry supports more than 190,000 direct jobs and $17 billion in wages in California. But we are now greatly concerned that the states status as the epicenter for motion picture production is at risk. What started as isolated runaway film and television production to a few countries some 15 years ago has become an ever-growing exodus of high quality middle-class jobs. And with those jobs, California is sending precious tax dollars, economic opportunity and its iconic brand to other states and nations.
Some Facts About Runaway Production
Of the 54 big-budget feature films of 2012 and 2013, only one shot exclusively in California.
From 2005 to 2013, Californias share of the 1-hour TV series market declined from 64% to 28%, resulting in the loss of an estimated 8,500 jobs.
According to a 2007 study commissioned by the San Francisco Film Commission, every job lost in the film industry results in a loss of $112,000 in spending to the local economy.
In the last 15 years, feature film production in Los Angeles has dropped nearly 60 percent.
Film and television production is a major source of jobs and economic vitality in California, but with increased competition, California is losing thousands of middle-class jobs and significant tax revenue to other states and nations. If policymakers fail to make our state more competitive, the film industry in California will face the same fate as other industries, including aerospace, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of jobs permanently leaving California for other states.
California no longer can afford to rest on its laurels or its storied entertainment industry pedigree. We believe it is imperative that the Legislature and Administration take decisive steps to retain an industry that serves as a vital source of jobs, tax revenue and economic opportunity.
gtar100
(4,192 posts)really faired so well. Quality of life can also be a big incentive and that quality isn't free. If a business doesn't want to pay their fair share, good riddance. Because those savings in taxes don't get plowed back into communities, they go into private bank accounts.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)pinto
(106,886 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)Lots are going to NYC right now.
TeamPooka
(24,204 posts)antiquie
(4,299 posts)and tourism adds to jobs.