Pro Tem Addresses Hollywood Community at Chamber's First State of the State Luncheon
July 13, 2015
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce held successfully the first State of the State Luncheon with Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León at Paramount Studios on Friday, July 10, 2015.
President pro Tempore of the California State Senate Kevin de León at the Chamber's first State of the State luncheon. Photo by Marlene Panoyan
The first Latino-elected President pro Tempore of the California State Senate in more than 130 years, the Senator covered the challenges and opportunities facing the state, including California’s historic drought, expanding access to education, and increasing economic opportunity. The Pro Tem also updated the Chamber on the budget, the latest critical initiatives to fight climate change and clean up air pollution, and California's important strides in immigration reform.
Senator de León, who was the lead negotiator for the expansion of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit to keep Hollywood’s production jobs at home in the Golden State, discussed the impact of the passing of AB1839 last year. “The new film-tax credit is working and it will maintain our state’s status as the entertainment capital of the world. California Film Commission last month selected 11 productions to receive the first round of credits. These productions alone will bring $216-million in wages for crew members and $544-million in direct in-state spending. The reviews are in and the critics agree: two thumbs up for the new Film and Television Tax Credit Program.”
De Leon’s 24th Senate District includes diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles and the Hollywood community. “The entertainment industry is very much a part of California’s golden history. Hollywood itself is an economic engine. Investment in urban revitalization is visible everywhere you look in Hollywood. New hotels, retail, restaurants, art galleries and small businesses have already arrived with many more on the way. Last year, L.A. achieved a record high 43-million visitors, with 50-million visitors expected in 2015. Hollywood is on track to draw a record number of tourists this year.”
Senate de León applauded the passage of a budget compromise reached with the Governor Brown. “The drought is at the top of our mind. The budget includes significant funding to reduce the impacts of the drought, including investments in water conservation, recycled water, stormwater capture, and money for food and housing assistance in the most affected regions. The budget also strikes a responsible balance between strengthening our long-term fiscal foundation and investing in the economy of today and the workforce of tomorrow.”
The budget compromise includes unprecedented investments in K-14 and higher education, significant gains in childcare and early education funding, as well as health care for immigrant children. “Ensuring quality childcare will give every kid a fair shot at entering school ready to learn. And when they graduate high school, every kid deserves a shot at a higher education. We are securing the California Dream for future generations with unprecedented investments in K-14 and higher education, significant gains in childcare, and early education funding, as well as health care for immigrant children.”
Home to the world’s eighth largest economy, California’s climate change steps are being closely watched around the world. The Senator introduced legislation to strengthen California’s climate leadership by pursuing standards that will reduce petroleum use by 50 percent, set a 50 percent renewable energy standard for the state’s utilities and increase building energy efficiency by 50 percent, all by 2030. “We are moving forward with an ambitious climate change agenda that tackles air pollution and extreme weather while building the renewable energy economy of tomorrow. Governor Brown is in on this fight and we are showing the world that it is possible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and grow our economy at the same time. My bill SB 350 puts in place standards that will spur innovation and power a sustainable future for the Golden State. It seeks to reduce petroleum use, generate half of our electricity from renewable sources; and double the energy efficiency in our buildings, all by 2030. It passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly. We now have a clean energy sector added to our state’s mantle of economic leadership – right up there with entertainment, biotech, information tech, and agriculture. I hope you can join us in this fight for the next generation.”
Senator De León, who continues to fight for immigrants’ rights, brokered several bills that helped keep families together and allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. “Sacramento is also leading on immigration reform by moving policies that stand with our immigrant community, no matter where they come from or how they got here. California values and protects our thriving immigrant community and allows them to fully participate in our society and economy.”
On the State’s diversity, the Pro Tem said,” Hollywood and the entertainment industry is grappling with how to better cater to this increasingly diverse audience while also looking at itself in the mirror. It is important that the industry - from agency mailrooms to the director’s chair to the executive suites at a network or studio and the actors on screen - It is important that Hollywood continues striving to reflect the great diversity of California and our country. It is incumbent upon us to recognize this responsibility and fight for better inclusion of women and minorities in the business and on the screen.”
In Conclusion, the Pro Tem said, “I want to work with the Chamber and all of you to address many other issues our state and your businesses. From CEQA, to tax reform, to streamlining regulations and preserving equal rights for all - I am proud to partner with each and every one of you in pushing our state forward.”
Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (right) and Beth Marlis, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors (left) presented de León (centered) a commemorative picture of the famous Hollywood Sign. Photo by Marlene Panoyan.
The Hollywood Chamber appreciates the sponsors of this luncheon whose generous contribution helped make this event a great success. The presenting sponsor of the luncheon was the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building was presenting sponsor, and Paramount Pictures was platinum level sponsor. Gold level sponsors included CIM Group, Entertainment Union Coalition, FilmL.A., Inc., Palladium Residences, and Variety. Silver level sponsors included Andrews International, The Walt Disney Company, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Hudson Pacific Properties, MCS BusinessSource Network, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Paramount Contractors & Developers, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
For more than 94 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
Photos by Marlene Panoyan ©Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
President pro Tempore of the California State Senate Kevin de León at the Chamber's first State of the State luncheon. Photo by Marlene Panoyan
The first Latino-elected President pro Tempore of the California State Senate in more than 130 years, the Senator covered the challenges and opportunities facing the state, including California’s historic drought, expanding access to education, and increasing economic opportunity. The Pro Tem also updated the Chamber on the budget, the latest critical initiatives to fight climate change and clean up air pollution, and California's important strides in immigration reform.
Senator de León, who was the lead negotiator for the expansion of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit to keep Hollywood’s production jobs at home in the Golden State, discussed the impact of the passing of AB1839 last year. “The new film-tax credit is working and it will maintain our state’s status as the entertainment capital of the world. California Film Commission last month selected 11 productions to receive the first round of credits. These productions alone will bring $216-million in wages for crew members and $544-million in direct in-state spending. The reviews are in and the critics agree: two thumbs up for the new Film and Television Tax Credit Program.”
De Leon’s 24th Senate District includes diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles and the Hollywood community. “The entertainment industry is very much a part of California’s golden history. Hollywood itself is an economic engine. Investment in urban revitalization is visible everywhere you look in Hollywood. New hotels, retail, restaurants, art galleries and small businesses have already arrived with many more on the way. Last year, L.A. achieved a record high 43-million visitors, with 50-million visitors expected in 2015. Hollywood is on track to draw a record number of tourists this year.”
Senate de León applauded the passage of a budget compromise reached with the Governor Brown. “The drought is at the top of our mind. The budget includes significant funding to reduce the impacts of the drought, including investments in water conservation, recycled water, stormwater capture, and money for food and housing assistance in the most affected regions. The budget also strikes a responsible balance between strengthening our long-term fiscal foundation and investing in the economy of today and the workforce of tomorrow.”
The budget compromise includes unprecedented investments in K-14 and higher education, significant gains in childcare and early education funding, as well as health care for immigrant children. “Ensuring quality childcare will give every kid a fair shot at entering school ready to learn. And when they graduate high school, every kid deserves a shot at a higher education. We are securing the California Dream for future generations with unprecedented investments in K-14 and higher education, significant gains in childcare, and early education funding, as well as health care for immigrant children.”
Home to the world’s eighth largest economy, California’s climate change steps are being closely watched around the world. The Senator introduced legislation to strengthen California’s climate leadership by pursuing standards that will reduce petroleum use by 50 percent, set a 50 percent renewable energy standard for the state’s utilities and increase building energy efficiency by 50 percent, all by 2030. “We are moving forward with an ambitious climate change agenda that tackles air pollution and extreme weather while building the renewable energy economy of tomorrow. Governor Brown is in on this fight and we are showing the world that it is possible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and grow our economy at the same time. My bill SB 350 puts in place standards that will spur innovation and power a sustainable future for the Golden State. It seeks to reduce petroleum use, generate half of our electricity from renewable sources; and double the energy efficiency in our buildings, all by 2030. It passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly. We now have a clean energy sector added to our state’s mantle of economic leadership – right up there with entertainment, biotech, information tech, and agriculture. I hope you can join us in this fight for the next generation.”
Senator De León, who continues to fight for immigrants’ rights, brokered several bills that helped keep families together and allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. “Sacramento is also leading on immigration reform by moving policies that stand with our immigrant community, no matter where they come from or how they got here. California values and protects our thriving immigrant community and allows them to fully participate in our society and economy.”
On the State’s diversity, the Pro Tem said,” Hollywood and the entertainment industry is grappling with how to better cater to this increasingly diverse audience while also looking at itself in the mirror. It is important that the industry - from agency mailrooms to the director’s chair to the executive suites at a network or studio and the actors on screen - It is important that Hollywood continues striving to reflect the great diversity of California and our country. It is incumbent upon us to recognize this responsibility and fight for better inclusion of women and minorities in the business and on the screen.”
In Conclusion, the Pro Tem said, “I want to work with the Chamber and all of you to address many other issues our state and your businesses. From CEQA, to tax reform, to streamlining regulations and preserving equal rights for all - I am proud to partner with each and every one of you in pushing our state forward.”
Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (right) and Beth Marlis, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors (left) presented de León (centered) a commemorative picture of the famous Hollywood Sign. Photo by Marlene Panoyan.
The Hollywood Chamber appreciates the sponsors of this luncheon whose generous contribution helped make this event a great success. The presenting sponsor of the luncheon was the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building was presenting sponsor, and Paramount Pictures was platinum level sponsor. Gold level sponsors included CIM Group, Entertainment Union Coalition, FilmL.A., Inc., Palladium Residences, and Variety. Silver level sponsors included Andrews International, The Walt Disney Company, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Hudson Pacific Properties, MCS BusinessSource Network, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Paramount Contractors & Developers, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
For more than 94 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
Photos by Marlene Panoyan ©Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Contact:
Marlene Panoyan, Director of Communications/Social Media
marlene@hollywoodchamber.net, 323-469-8311