Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Motion Co-Authored by Supervisor Barger Backs Extension of California Film Tax Credit

In a move to keep TV and film jobs in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to back the extension of the current California Film Tax Credit for another five years.

This endorsement to Governor Newsom comes in the wake of an industry report showing a 24 percent decline in on-location filming over the last quarter.

The motion was co-authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, and Lindsey P. Horvath.

The $1.55 billion tax relief program, which is managed by the California Film Commission, provides financial relief to film and television companies producing projects in California. Unless extended, the program is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

“Easing the tax liabilities of film and television companies both large and small is a significant carrot that keeps them from moving their production out of state where it may be cheaper to film,” said Supervisor Barger. “We have an amazing production infrastructure here and we must seize every opportunity to protect and support it.”

Her co-author, Supervisor Horvath, stressed the importance of the entertainment industry in the region, stating, “Los Angeles is the global capital of the creative economy, in no small part because of the entertainment industry. As more states create programs to attract film production, we must continue to incentivize filming in our state and in Los Angeles County.”

The discussion also touched upon the need for increasing diversity in the entertainment industry. Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell mentioned during the Board’s policy discussion that there should also be a Board focus on how entertainment industry studios are working to create an equitable workforce pipeline that adds diversity among its employees.

Supervisor Barger concurred, asserting, “We certainly have a lot of work to do when it comes to hiring and diversity. We must capitalize and promote the local talent available in our communities who can be significantly uplifted by these types of stable and well-paying jobs.”

In the race to retain film and TV production jobs, the Board’s recent decision serves as a crucial response to the rising competition from other states. The extension of the tax credit program is seen as a vital measure to maintain the vibrancy of the local creative economy and to ensure its equitable growth.