LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today rallied support for the proposed expansion of the California Film Tax Credit program joining Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, State Senator Ben Allen, and other California legislators who introduced new bills to strengthen and modernize the program. Mayor Bass has been a staunch advocate for California’s Film Tax Credit program, which was originally created under her leadership as Speaker of the Assembly.
“I want to thank Assemblymembers Zbur and Bryan, Senator Allen, and other legislative leaders for taking action to expand this important program and fighting back to keep our signature industry in Los Angeles and in California,” said Mayor Bass. “Our city was dealt a big blow by the wildfires but we will come back stronger, and one way to do that is by keeping our signature industry here at home. These bills introduced by Senator Allen, Assemblymember Zbur and Assemblymember Bryan are a milestone in this fight and I look forward to seeing this expansion passed this session.”
Mayor Bass stood alongside a coalition of supporters including labor leaders who are championing this effort to strengthen and modernize the Film and TV Tax Credit Expansion. Late last year, Mayor Bass joined Governor Gavin Newsom to unveil the historic expansion of the program. This ambitious announcement positions California to become the top state for capped film incentive programs, surpassing other states like New York, which have been taking entertainment jobs away from Los Angeles and our state.
In addition to championing a new Film Tax Credit program, during the first two years of Mayor Bass’ administration, she has taken the following actions to support the entertainment industry:
Established an Entertainment Industry Council to draw on the expertise of industry leaders to act on reversing this trend and to keep production local.
Signed Executive Directive 8 to take steps to streamline local film permitting processes, creating transparency and a customer service-oriented culture towards the industry to keep production and jobs in the City.
Created new studio and sound stage concierge services, which cut red tape and provide direct assistance with city departments. The program has helped 7 new studios and sound stages. In addition, 8.1 million square feet of soundstage, media production, and associated creative office space are in the pipeline within the City.