02-05-2025
California Production Workers Increase Pressure On State Lawmakers To Support Expanded Film & TV Tax Credit Proposal
EXCLUSIVE: Production workers in California seem pretty determined to make sure that lawmakers grasp the necessity for a revamp of the state's Film & Tax Credit Program.
In the 11 days since Deadline first reported that workers had sent more than 100,000 letters in support of SB630 and AB1138 to Sacramento amid some key hearings on the bills, that number has now doubled, we've confirmed. The goal is to show the Legislature just how dire the situation is and how many Californians have been harmed by runaway production in the last decade.
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That's in addition to the dozens of people who have shown up to every committee hearing on the matter to voice in-person support.
'I think the letters, the attendance at the hearing, all of this is really an indicator of both the level of angst and the level of commitment [from workers],' Rebecca Rhine, Entertainment Union Coalition President and Directors Guild of America Western Executive Director, told Deadline.
So far, things are running relatively smoothly as these sister bills make their way to the Senate and Assembly floors. AB1138 did, finally, receive one no vote from Assemblymember Carl DeMaio in its Revenue and Taxation Committee Hearing on Monday. Sources tell us this was fairly expected, given DeMaio is a more Conservative member of the Legislature and doesn't indicate massive roadblocks ahead.
The letter initiative has been led by the Entertainment Union Coalition as part of its Keep California Rolling campaign, which has been lobbying for the passage of SB630 and AB1138. There are still many hurdles ahead for the bills, which would not only allocate $750M annually in tax incentives for production in the state but also redefine and broaden eligibility for the program. As of now, none seem too high.
We also hear that this initiative is very high on Gov. Gavin Newsom's priority list, and he's determined to get approval, at least for the funding expansion. On May 5, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on SB630.
The topic of reviving domestic film and television production has been heating up for some time. While California has been leading the charge, it may now also become a topic of discussion on the federal level. Deadline reported Friday that Jon Voight, one of Trump's three 'special ambassador' to Hollywood picks, will soon present a plan to the President about a federal tax incentive.
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