Nithya Raman calls for uncapped film tax credits as LA mayoral race enters final days

• Raman called for uncapped film and TV tax incentives ahead of Tuesday's LA election
• Hollywood's production decline has become a defining issue in both the mayoral and governor races
• Only Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, and Antonio Villaraigosa have backed unlimited tax credits
  

With just days to go before Tuesday's election, Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman used a Friday appearance outside Radford Studios to call on candidates for governor to commit to uncapped tax incentives for film and television production, warning that Hollywood's role as an economic engine for working Angelenos is under serious threat.

Raman was joined by entertainment industry figures who are supporting her mayoral campaign, including The Good Place creator Mike Schur, filmmaker Cord Jefferson, and writer-director Kay Cannon.

"We must ensure that Hollywood remains a reliable on-ramp into the middle class for Angelenos," Raman said. "We must protect that before it slips further away."

Production decline dominates the campaign trail

The dramatic downturn in Hollywood production has emerged as a central issue in both the mayoral and gubernatorial races. Mayor Karen Bass has similarly called for uncapped state tax credits, has moved in recent months to reduce city location fees, and has secured the backing of three below-the-line Hollywood unions.

Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt, one of Raman's rivals in the mayoral contest, has accused his competitors of failing to do enough to halt the decline of industry jobs.

In a post on X on Friday, he wrote: "Notice how Hollywood fell off a cliff IMMEDIATELY after Karen Bass took office? If you give her another 4 years, that'll be a wrap on Hollywood. She will finish the job of killing our city's golden goose. Vote like your life depends on it, LA. It does."

Where the governor candidates stand

Amongst the top three contenders in the gubernatorial polls, only Republican Steve Hilton has called for unlimited state tax incentives for Hollywood productions.

Xavier Becerra, the leading Democrat in most polls, has pledged to increase the existing $750 million programme but has stopped short of committing to removing the cap entirely.

Rolling out his Hollywood policy last week, Becerra vowed to convene an entertainment summit early in his administration to gather input from industry stakeholders. Tom Steyer has likewise pledged to expand the programme without endorsing an uncapped credit.

Of the governor candidates, only Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa have committed to eliminating the cap, though neither has stated what the move would cost. Raman herself has not endorsed any of the candidates.

Extension of the 2030 deadline

The state's $750 million tax incentive programme is currently set to expire in 2030. On Friday, Raman also called on governor candidates to pursue an early extension of the scheme to provide greater stability for the industry.

Raman aims Pratt's AI campaign content

Raman also directed criticism at Pratt over his use of AI-generated videos as a primary means of communicating his campaign message — a particularly sensitive issue for many working in the entertainment industry.

"I would say to people who really care about the state of Los Angeles, and to people who care about keeping Hollywood in L.A., I would choose away from the candidate who has relied on sharing AI videos as his primary mode of communication about these issues," she said.

Talks with rival candidate Rae Huang

Raman was also pressed on a report in LA Material that her campaign had approached fellow candidate Rae Huang, who sits to her left politically, urging her to withdraw from the race to consolidate the Democratic Socialist vote. Raman confirmed that discussions had taken place between the two campaigns.

"I think both of us feel very real alarm about the idea that — even if it's only for the next five months — that we could have Spencer Pratt and millions of dollars fueled by a nationwide MAGA network essentially corroding the civic life of the city," Raman said.

"That to me is something that strikes real fear in my heart, and I think it's definitely worth figuring out how to achieve the bold positive progressive vision that I have and that she shares for Los Angeles."