Karen Bass races to save LA's film industry ahead of tight re-election
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing pressure over the city’s struggling film and TV industry as her re-election approaches. With production jobs declining, rivals and industry figures are pushing for stronger incentives to keep filmmaking in the region. Bass has now proposed new measures to support the sector, but critics argue more must be done.
Bass recently announced a pilot scheme to reduce permit fees for 'low impact' productions. She also introduced a year-long discount on parking costs for film crews. These moves come as she campaigns for re-election on June 2, with job losses in the industry becoming a central issue.
The mayor has long backed state tax incentives for film and TV. She helped pass California’s original $100 million production credit lottery, which has since expanded to $750 million annually. Now, she supports an unlimited state tax break to keep productions in Los Angeles. Yet, her opponent Nithya Raman claims Bass has not done enough. Raman has called for an uncapped tax credit, arguing the current system fails to protect local jobs. Meanwhile, reality TV star Spencer Pratt suggested scrapping fees entirely to revive the industry. Previous mayors, including Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti, also lobbied Sacramento to safeguard film jobs. However, the mayor’s office has no direct control over state subsidies, which are set by the Legislature and governor. Bass has also taken a firm stance on another industry issue. She opposes the proposed Paramount Skydance merger with Warner Bros. Discovery unless it guarantees no job cuts.
The debate over film incentives has intensified ahead of the June election. Bass’s new fee cuts and parking discounts aim to ease costs for productions. However, her rivals and industry voices continue to push for broader financial support to prevent further job losses in Los Angeles.
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