Expanded Tax Credits Bring Real Jobs to the City
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass today celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that Baywatch and other major television productions are returning to Los Angeles, calling it “a major victory for the entertainment workforce that powers this city.” Mayor Bass has championed LA’s signature industry since she was Speaker of the State Assembly, overseeing the passage of the inaugural Film and TV Tax Credit Program. Now as Mayor, she has used her mayoral authority to focus on streamlining city processes and delivering excellent customer service so creators and crews can do what they do best — in the city that does it best.
Governor Newsom announced that 17 television projects will receive awards through California’s expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program, generating an estimated statewide economic impact of $1.2 billion. “For years, we’ve watched productions leave L.A. — and we’ve all felt the impact,” said Mayor Bass. “So seeing Baywatch — an iconic show that was born in L.A. — come home is more than symbolic. It means real jobs for real people.”
Steve Kang, the Mayor’s Liaison to the Film and Television Industry added, “This is a game-changing win for our local production ecosystem and workforce. I’ll be working across city departments and with our county counterparts to streamline the permitting process and ensure productions can quickly and efficiently film in Los Angeles.”
“From day one, my administration has been laser-focused on keeping our signature industry — film, television, and entertainment — right here at home,” added Mayor Bass. “We strengthened local production incentives, worked with the Governor and state leaders to expand tax credits, and streamlined city processes so our creators and crews can do their work in the city that does it best.”
Mayor Bass continued, “And now, the results are clear: productions returning, good-paying jobs growing, and major franchises — like Baywatch — choosing Los Angeles because we’ve made this the smartest, strongest, and most supportive place to film. This is how we protect middle-class jobs, support below-the-line workers, and keep the entertainment industry in the city where it belongs.”
“Never underestimate the appeal of Southern California as a shooting location,” said Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Chair of the Mayor’s Entertainment Council and Founder/CEO of The Gotham Group. “The return of Baywatch is a sign of great things to come.”
Mayor Bass is a leader on local policies to support the entertainment industry. Her actions include:
- Supporting the historic doubling of the State Film & TV Tax Credit Program to $750 million, originally created under Mayor Bass when she was Speaker of the State Assembly.
- Issuing Executive Directive 11 in May 2025 which makes it easier for studios and independent producers alike to shoot movies, television shows, and commercials here in Los Angeles by lowering costs and streamlining processes for on-location filming, and increasing access to some of the city’s most iconic locations.
- Establishing an Entertainment Industry Council to draw on the expertise of industry leaders to keep production local.
- Promoting a customer service-oriented culture towards the industry through ensuring each relevant City department appointed a film liaison, and strategized on policies that keep production and jobs in Los Angeles through Executive Directive 8.
- Appointing Steve Kang, President of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works to be the Mayor’s Liaison to the Film and Television Industry. President Kang is tasked with engaging on a comprehensive strategy to keep production in Los Angeles, including continuing the implementation of the Mayor’s Executive Directive 8 and 11, which make it easier for studios and independent producers alike to shoot movies, television shows, and commercials here in Los Angeles.
- Cutting red tape and providing direct assistance with city departments to move studios and soundstages forward, bringing nearly 8 million square feet of soundstage, media production and associated creative office space in the pipeline within the City.
- Celebrating the construction kickoff for Creators @ Laboratory — a transformative workforce development and content production hub located in South Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Empowerment District.