L.A. Mayor Promises More Support for Film, TV Industries
Antonio Villaraigosa said he would consider lowering film permit fees and speeding up the permitting process and called on the city legislature to pass a bill to extend California’s production tax credits beyond 2012.
NEW YORK – Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he would consider additional steps to help the local movie and TV industry and make LA a competitive location for productions, including possibly reducing film permit fees and speeding up the permitting process, the LA Times reported.
He also called on the city legislature to pass a bill that would extend California’s production tax credits beyond 2012. A state Senate committee is expected to take up the bill Thursday, according to the Times.
Speaking to a group of producers, location managers and industry executives on Wednesday, the mayor cited previous steps to support the entertainment industry, such as free parking on city lots.
“We’re doing some things, and that’s nice and good, but we can do a whole lot more,” the Times cited Villaraigosa as saying. “This is one of the most important industries for us.” But he also cautioned that the city is constrained by a tight budget, saying: “There are limitations to what we can do.”
The entertainment industry in Los Angeles County directly employs about 140,000 people, according to the paper.
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Yes, please!!! Bring on the continued incentives . . . :)
with passion & gratitude — jennifer
Phlight of the Phoenix 
It’s about time!!
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