Mayor Karen Bass Calls for Unlimited Film Tax Credit
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- Karen Bass called for eliminating the cap on California’s state film tax credit, advocating an unlimited credit without providing a cost estimate.
- Karen Bass is facing a June 2 reelection battle, and the recent downturn in production jobs has become a central campaign issue.
- Karen Bass helped pass the original production credit lottery of $100 million as Assembly speaker, which has since grown to $750 million annually.
- Nithya Raman called for an uncapped tax credit on April 21, arguing that studios need certainty and that “Los Angeles is losing Hollywood.”
- Karen Bass opposed Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery unless it can be done without job losses, urging federal regulators to enforce job protections.
- Paramount Skydance thanked Bass for her support of uncapped tax credits, claiming the deal will drive more content creation and high‑quality jobs in Los Angeles and California.
- Karen Bass launched a pilot program to reduce permit fees for “low‑impact” productions and to offer a one‑year parking discount for filmmakers.
Why it matters: The uncapped credit is presented as a lifeline for film and TV workers and studios, which Bass says are vital to the middle class and Los Angeles’ identity, while the stance also serves as a decisive campaign point in her tight June 2 race.
