To: Ian Calderon (CA-57)
Keep Our Entertainment Jobs in California
AFM Local 47
As a professional musician, I have a vested interest in the state of the motion picture and television industry in California. Once the epicenter of the entertainment industry, Hollywood is at serious risk of losing this work if California cannot compete with the more attractive production incentives outside our state.
Over the 15 years, the exodus of production jobs has snowballed into a very real threat to middle-class jobs in our state. Along with these lost jobs, California is also sending out precious tax dollars, economic opportunity, and our revered iconic brand to other states and nations.
If policymakers fail to make California more competitive, our local film and TV production industry will face permanent damage as hundreds of thousands of jobs leave forever. When musicians cannot supplement their income by working on music soundtracks, they are forced to seek out other professions or leave the state to where work is available, putting our communities at risk of losing the richness musicians bring to our local culture. It is imperative that California policymakers take decisive steps now to retain an industry that serves as a vital source of jobs, tax revenue and economic opportunity.
Over the 15 years, the exodus of production jobs has snowballed into a very real threat to middle-class jobs in our state. Along with these lost jobs, California is also sending out precious tax dollars, economic opportunity, and our revered iconic brand to other states and nations.
If policymakers fail to make California more competitive, our local film and TV production industry will face permanent damage as hundreds of thousands of jobs leave forever. When musicians cannot supplement their income by working on music soundtracks, they are forced to seek out other professions or leave the state to where work is available, putting our communities at risk of losing the richness musicians bring to our local culture. It is imperative that California policymakers take decisive steps now to retain an industry that serves as a vital source of jobs, tax revenue and economic opportunity.
Why is this important?
California is losing thousands of middle-class jobs and significant tax revenue as a direct result of other regions offering more competitive production subsidies. We need to support AB 1839 to expand our state's film and television tax credit program!