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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 20 June 2018
California lawmakers push diversity

through film tax credit

By SOPHIA BOLLAG
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)
— California lawmakers
passed legislation Monday
that puts more conditions
on state film tax credits to
encourage better sexual
harassment reporting
and diverse hiring amid
revelations of misconduct
and discrimination in
the movie industry.
The legislation would
require feature film and
television projects that
apply for the credits, which
are assigned based on jobs
created, to report diversity
statistics to the state and
designate people to
handle misconduct claims.
The revised tax credit
program, worth as much as
$330 million a year, would
also require applicants
to submit their policy
prohibiting harassment
and retaliation. In addition, Assemblyman Ian Calderon, D-Whittier, center, talks with Assemblyman Kevin Mullen, D-South
major studios would have San Francisco, right, at the Capitol, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif.
to report whether they Associated Press
have diversity programs.
"If you don't have a Senate and now goes to productions in the state. makeup artists and extras
program, you're going to Gov. Jerry Brown, who is Feature films and television — not the highest profile
have to report that you expected to sign it. The shows apply for the workers, such as starring
don't have a program," new version of the program credit before they begin actors and directors.
Democratic Assemblyman would start in 2020. filming. The California Film Applicants who receive the
Ian Calderon, who helped Republican Assemblyman Commission, the state tax credit would help fund
craft the bill, told The James Gallagher of Yuba agency that oversees a program to train people
Associated Press. "That City, the only lawmaker to the program, prioritizes from underrepresented
doesn't look very good." vote against the bill, said the projects that will communities to do "below
Assemblyman Rob Bonta he didn't believe it would generate the most jobs. the line" jobs on film sets.
and other members of prevent sexual misconduct HBO's "Westworld," for The industry initially
the Asian Pacific Islander because projects would example, planned nearly expressed reservations
caucus pushed for only have to show they 300 filming days in California about some of the diversity
the diversity reporting have a policy and not and was approved for reporting requirements but
requirements. The prove that they enforce it. nearly $30 million in credits, supported the final version
Alameda Democrat cited He also said the state contingent on meeting the of the bill, Bonta said.
the films "Ghost in the shouldn't single out targets in its application. "The high level concept
Shell" and "The Great Wall" the politically powerful The film "A Wrinkle in Time" of wanting more diversity
that cast white actors industry for a tax break. was slated to receive more in film, there was always
in leading roles he said "I think it really misses Me than $18 million in credits. agreement on that," he
should have gone to Asian Too," he said, referring The film commission said. "How we get there,
actors. He said the films to the global movement assigns credits based on a how it becomes part of
were "hurtful" to the Asian against sexual harassment production's "below the line" the film tax credit, was
Pacific Islander community. sparked when dozens of jobs, including set builders, always a concern."q
"We wanted to be women publicly accused
productive in our solution movie producer Harvey
and provide some support Weinstein of rape, assault
in terms of encouraging and harassment. He has
diversity in Hollywood denied the allegations.
and we think this will do To attract jobs and
that," Bonta said of the economic activity, more
change to the credit. than 30 states give tax
The bill was negotiated as breaks to productions.
part of the state budget. California created its
It was approved Monday program in 2009 and it has
by the Assembly and state been hailed for keeping