July 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti hails deal that provides tax incentives for screen productions

 

m
Eric Garcetti hailed the governor’s announcement that a deal was struck on a bill that would provide up to $330 million to keep screen productions in California. (Thinkstock)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was joined by film and television workers and other leaders Wednesday in hailing the governor’s announcement that a deal was struck on a bill to provide up to $330 million in tax incentives annually to keep big and small screen productions in California.

The agreement between Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders calls for extending the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program for five years, starting in fiscal year 2015-16, and increasing the tax incentives offered by the state from the current $100 million.

The deal also calls for abandoning the lottery process to pick the recipients. Instead, applicants will be judged based on the number of jobs they provide and their economic impact.

The bill now awaits a vote on the state Senate floor.

Garcetti said the agreement will help Los Angeles hang onto its standing as “the entertainment capital of the world.” He also declared it a “success for California’s middle class,” saying it will benefit the “heart and soul of the entertainment industry” such as “artisans, craftspeople and trades people who you never see on screen.”

Earlier this year, the mayor appointed a film czar to lobby for increased tax incentives.

Assemblymen Mike Gatto and Raul J. Bocanegra, D-Los Angeles, wanted to increase the incentives to $400 million to compete with tax credits offered by other states. New York’s program provides about $450 million annually in tax incentives for film and television projects.

Gatto said he is “pleased” with the agreed-upon language, which contains important features such as allowing blockbuster movies, as well as pilots and dramas, to become eligible for the incentives.

Those productions are usually the “biggest source of employment” in the film industry for the state, he said.

“We set out at the beginning of this year to create a program that will not only be bigger, but also smarter and more thoughtful,” Gatto said. “We have an agreement on a program that is just that.”

Gatto said he was not worried the incentives pot would still be smaller than New York’s, noting that California enjoys some “inherent advantages” that will attract productions regardless.

“We just need to be competitive again,” he said. “I personally don’t want to compete too directly on a financial basis with those states.”

If the bill wins passage on the Senate floor — with a vote scheduled for tomorrow — and clears a concurrence vote in Assembly, it will go to the governor’s desk for signing, he said.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, who authored 2009 legislation that led to the original film tax incentive program, called it “a great day for California and our signature industry.”

He predicted that with an “influx of filming in our cities and counties,” Los Angeles and other communities in the Southern California area will need to redouble efforts to make it easier for productions to be filmed locally.

The deal also drew praise from a coalition of off-camera film and television workers.

“Gov. Brown and legislative leaders have delivered a production incentive program that makes California jobs priority number one,” said Thom Davis, business manager of IATSE Local 80, which represents film and TV technicians.

Ed Duffy of the Teamsters Local 399, a union representing drivers, location managers and casting directors, voiced support for the proposed legislation tying the incentives to job creation, calling it “a win for workers and California’s economy.”

Related Posts

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Developer Seeks to Replace Mid-Century Building With 65 New Units in Palms

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Apartment Complex Near E Line May Be Demolished for Larger Housing Project Mid-century apartments near Metro’s Palms Station are set...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...