Call For Fed Intervention In Runaway Film Production

A State of California resolution calling on Congress and President Clinton to address the problem of runaway film production cleared the California Senate Rules Committee in a unanimous vote Tuesday, August 31, 1999.Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, authored Assembly Joint Resolution 23 to encourage the federal government to find a solution to runaway production ñ a phenomenon that encourages U.S. studios to shoot productions in Canada rather than in California. Last year alone the cost was more than $10 billion.There are already two bills in the California Legislature that call for 10 percent tax refunds on qualified labor costs for TV shows and films shot in California under certain conditions.Nonetheless, Runner said the runaway production battle needs to be fought at the federal level. ""Thereís a whole industry being sucked out of the U.S.,"" he said. ""Itís economic discrimination.""Runner supports both bills introduced, ""because Californians are overtaxed,"" but said the state needs federal assistance. ""We cannot allow Canada to continue raiding Californiaís industries. The federal government must re-evaluate our current trade relations with Canada and promote trade-related legislation to persuade the film industry to remain in California.""Work is in progress. Thereís already movement in Congress to address the issue. A task force headed by Rep. Howard P. ""Buck"" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, has been created. McKeon recently met with Screenwriters of America Guild (SAG) President Richard Masur and Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Jack Shea. ""Mr. Masur told us runaway production is a real problem, and the congressman agreed,"" McKeon spokesman David Foy said. ""Californiaís problem is that itís unfriendly to business in general ñ with too much taxes and regulation ñ and Canada is taking advantage of that.