Brown Signs Film, Television Tax Credit

California has an expanded film and television tax credit to stem the tide of job losses in the entertainment industry. Governor Jerry Brown signed the program into law today in Los Angeles, saying he’s hopeful it will create “tens of thousands of jobs.” The law more than triples the amount of tax credits offered. It will also extend the tax credit for an additional five years and expands which productions can apply for it. When the credit goes into effect next year California’s program will rank second in the country behind New York.

The U.S. Labor Department estimates California lost more than 16,000 TV and film related jobs between 2004 and 2012. Brown says the measure will help everyone from “stage hands and set designers to electricians and delivery drivers.”