Mayor Eric Garcetti traveled to Sacramento on Wednesday to advocate for an expanded film tax credit program, which faces a crucial Senate Appropriations Committee hearing today.
Garcetti and other mayors from around the state met with Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders to discuss the bill, which would add to the current $100 million that is offered in tax breaks to film projects.
Garcetti wants tax credits that are “competitive” with New York state, mayoral aide Jeff Millman said. New York’s tax credit program is $420 million.
Garcetti said during a news conference today that New York has its program “because it works and it helps their economy.”
“We need to do the same before this industry packs up” and leaves the state, he said.
Justin Hager, an aide for one of the bill’s authors, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, said the “dollar figure” of the tax credit may be decided at tomorrow’s committee hearing.
If the bill clears the committee, it would go to a vote on the Senate floor as early as Tuesday, he said.
Mayors Chuck Reed of San Jose, Ed Lee of San Francisco, Kevin Johnson of Sacramento and Robert Garcia of Long Beach joined Garcetti during the meeting with Brown.
Garcetti also was in Sacramento lobbying for funding to be earmarked for city projects in a proposed water bond measure and the state’s cap-and-trade program.
Garcetti was to return to Los Angeles later today, his aides said.
