film production California gubernatorial race Katie Porter California film industry Hollywood tax incentives Antonio Villaraigosa CNN debate tax credits

Leading candidates in California’s gubernatorial race faced their first on-stage discussion about reviving the state’s film production industry during a CNN debate on Tuesday. Several candidates voiced support for removing caps on tax incentives to better compete with other production hubs.

CNN’s Elex Michaelson specifically asked Congresswoman Katie Porter whether she would back an unlimited tax credit program, noting her prior lack of clarity on the issue.

The congresswoman confirmed her support for an uncapped incentive, citing the current program’s $750 million cap, which was more than doubled in 2025. “I think we need to be competitive in California,” Porter said. “It’s much more expensive and much more difficult to bring any industry back than it is to hang on to it in the first place, so California is in competition. We have the most talented workforce, we have the best higher education system, but we do have to have competitive policies.”

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa framed the election as critical for Hollywood’s future, calling it “an existential election for Hollywood.”

The debate marked the first time film production incentives were addressed on stage during this election cycle, injecting energy into an otherwise subdued discussion.

Source: The Wrap
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