The California Legislative Analyst's Office released a report, "Film and Television Production: Overview of Motion Picture Industry and State Tax Credits," which recommends caution by lawmakers considering an extension of the state's tax credit.
Although over half of the film industry's jobs are located in Los Angeles County, recent competition from states like Louisiana have been gaining on California by offering deep tax credits to the film industry. California even responded by creating a tax break of its own. In Los Angeles, the exodus of the film industry is referred to as "runaway production," but a new report, released yesterday by the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), might have coined a new term: "the race to the bottom."
"If the Legislature wishes to continue or expand the film tax credit, we suggest that it do so cautiously," states the LAO report. "We highlight several factors to consider. Specifically (1) responding to other jurisdictions’ subsidies could be very expensive and (2) for state government, the film tax credit does not 'pay for itself.'"
Among the report's pithy observations: "Interstate and international competition could stoke a 'race to the bottom,'" even as the film industry struggles in comparison with the recovery of other portions of the economy.
FULL STORY: Film and Television Production: Overview of Motion Picture Industry and State Tax Credits

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont