Mayor Bass Calls for ‘No Cap’ State Film Tax Credit, Federal Film Incentive and for Paramount-WBD Deal to Protect Jobs

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass, who wrote California's first Film and Television Tax Credit legislation, today called for a "no cap" state credit and for a federal Film and Television Tax Credit. Mayor Bass also said she opposes Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery unless it avoids job cuts.

"We are in a global battle for entertainment jobs, and we must hold nothing back in our fight," Mayor Bass said. "This is about an industry that is essential to our middle class and who we are as a city."

"I cannot support a deal that results in massive job losses," Mayor Bass continued. "I urge federal regulators to enforce job protections and creative freedom during the approval process, and I call on Paramount's leadership to redouble its commitment to the industry workers in our city."

Mayor Bass has championed L.A.'s signature industry since she was Speaker of the State Assembly, overseeing the passage of the Inaugural Film and TV Tax Credit Program. Now as Mayor, she has used her authority to focus on streamlining city processes and delivering excellent customer service so that creators and crews can do what they do best - in the city that does it best.

Last week, Mayor Bass and leaders in LA's entertainment industry unveiled a new pilot program to support film productions of all sizes in Los Angeles by providing a 20% discount at LADOT-owned parking lots citywide. A significant barrier for productions is the cost to park equipment, trucks, star wagons and trailers needed for filming. This pilot, a direct result of Mayor Bass' Executive Directive 11, will make it easier and more affordable for productions to operate across Los Angeles while also ensuring smooth day-to-day operations for residents and businesses.

Additional progress to bolster the entertainment industry under Mayor Bass' Executive Directive 11 includes:

• Filming fees at the Griffith Observatory have been slashed by 70%.

• The Central Library has reopened for filming after more than a decade.

• The Port of Los Angeles has cut in half the time it takes to review filming applications.

• The L.A. Department of Transportation has extended staff hours to ensure timely on-street signage posting requests and changes for local productions.

• LADOT has pre-approved certain closures in Downtown L.A., allowing FilmLA to authorize curb lanes and local street closures in accordance with established guidelines.

• LAPD has identified activity and locations where the assignment of personnel can either be waived or decreased since the Mayor's directive took effect.

Additionally, the appointment of Board of Public Works President Steve Kang as the Mayor's Liaison to the Film and Television Industry has streamlined many of the day-to-day barriers that productions face in Los Angeles. By providing a concierge-style service and addressing issues directly as they arise, the Mayor's Liaison ensures that productions receive timely support and that the City remains a film-friendly partner.

Mayor Bass recently took executive action to welcome productions like Baywatch back to Los Angeles. This follows the historic passage of Governor Newsom's expanded Film & TV Tax Credit Program. Additionally, this year, Mayor Bass has joined Cinespace and East End Studios to celebrate the grand opening of their new campuses in Los Angeles.

Mayor Bass also established an Entertainment Industry Council to draw on the expertise of industry leaders and issued Executive Directive 8 to support the industry locally, including establishing monthly task force meetings with key departments and industry stakeholders and requiring all departments to have a designated liaison for film and TV production.