Smyth (AB1696) Floor Speech 6/7/07

Smyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Just to echo and follow up on some of Mr. Krekorian’s comments; the film industry and the entertainment industry is what, as he alluded to, that what we see is the people on T.V., the actors, the directors. But what you don’t see are the nuts and bolts folks - the people that live in all of our districts and work to make those productions happen. And what you’re seeing is a runway of jobs. How many times have we [sat] on this floor and talk about losing jobs and jobs fleeing the state to other countries, other states. Here we have an opportunity to take some action and to work to bring jobs and keep jobs here in the state of California. I recognize that this bill is a - is a work in progress, this is not going to be the final product. We’re working with all stakeholders on - and the Governor’s office, the Senate, Members here all involved to try to find a comprehensive package that can keep jobs here and keep the industry here. There are other concerns that I know other Members have that we’re going to work to make sure that thresholds are set so productions are of the highest quality, and if, when we are all said and done, if this bill cannot pencil out either economically or the concerns that have been raised cannot be met, its not something that I will then support. But right now, it’s a vehicle to try to keep jobs and bring jobs here to the state of California. So, I’m going to support this as we move forward to keep this issue on the table so we can continue negotiations with this and several other vital industries that are a part of the state of California. So, I respectfully ask an aye vote.