California Gov. Gavin Newsom is using tax credits to encourage the TV and film industry to avoid working in anti-abortion states “that rule with hatred.”
Newsom, who is running for reelection in November, announced the continuation of a tax credit program that would give $1.65 billion – or $330 million a year – to productions through 2030, Variety reported.
If the bill – SB 485 – is passed, it would extend the credit past 2025, when the current tax credit was expected to expire.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging Hollywood to avoid filming in anti-abortion states “that rule with hatred.” Richard Vogel via Associated Press, File
Newsom cited creators and showrunners’ calls for companies to protect employees who are pregnant in anti-abortion states.
“As other states roll back people’s rights, California will continue to protect fundamental freedoms for all and welcome businesses that stand up for their employees,” the governor said in a statement. “Extending this program will help ensure California’s world-renowned entertainment industry continues to drive economic growth with good jobs and a diverse, inclusive workforce.”
Today, Hollywood will wake up to this ad.
You can protect your workers, or continue to support anti-abortion states that rule with hatred.
We’re here for you. We’re extending tax credits for those that come home to the Golden State.
Choose CA. pic.twitter.com/9Bcmc6zpdu — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 3, 2022
The Entertainment Union Coalition, which includes members of Hollywood unions like SAG-AFTRA and Teamsters Local 399, said the governor’s efforts will assur that members may “continue to work at jobs they love, in the state they call home.”
The bill comes one year after Newsom signed a temporary increase to the program that added $180 million over two years to support Hollywood. Newsom said he hopes to keep productions in California even though states such as Georgia also offer industry tax incentives.
The film and TV industry has increased its spending in Georgia from $2.9 billion in 2019 to $4.4 billion in the past fiscal year despite the passage of legislation that barred abortions after the detection of fetal heartbeats, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Georgia has no annual cap on its tax credits and offers companies a 30% tax incentive if they use a Georgia peach logo in their productions.
barjam on August 4th, 2022 at 18:56 UTC »
Kansas is open for business TV/Movie industry! Of course you will have to CGI in trees, rivers, lakes, scenery of any kind, buildings, people, etc but we are open!
sweens90 on August 4th, 2022 at 16:24 UTC »
The issue with this is if the movie industry left Georgia for example. Georgia goes red again.
Businesses initially in Georgia started to state they were doing this in what they believed to be healthy defiance. I think as usual Stacy Abrams stepped in and was like uou leaving will have the opposite effects.
Purprle states just become red states in these scenarios. In a KY or Kansas or something maybe but this is I think targeted at Georgia which Dems cant afford to lose at the moment.
dblan9 on August 4th, 2022 at 15:17 UTC »
People need to understand how powerful boycotts are. If we all boycotted Kentucky based products you would be amazed how quickly things would change.