California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is begging the Hollywood film industry to bring back production moved to Oklahoma and Georgia amid pandemic lockdowns and rising crime, criticizing the Republican-controlled states over policies against abortion in a new ad published in Variety, according to Fox News.
It appears that Newsom is trying to guilt trip the Liberal Elites over at Tinsel Town with a new campaign ad titled: “Hollywood: Your Values, Your Choice,” suggesting that they are now supporting two states who have strict pro-life viewpoints.
“California is the best place in America to create. For 100 years, we’ve been the home for storytelling and storytellers. Together we built a creative community that includes unrivaled cast, crews, craftspeople, infrastructure, and technology. Robust tax credits and other incentives. The best culture,” the ad says. “Most importantly, we share your values. So now, it’s time to choose.”
“Over the past several years, the legislatures of states like Georgia and Oklahoma have waged a cruel assault on essential rights,” Newsom, who is reportedly quietly considering a 2024 presidential run, wrote. “Now, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s abhorrent decision overturning Roe v. Wade, those same states are quickly moving to strip reproductive freedoms.”
Newsom seems to be dangling a $1.65 billion carrot to entice the Hollywood elite to head back to the not so “Golden State”. This program, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, set to expire, allocates $330 million per year in tax credits for the industry should Newsom extend it. You scratch my back, I scratch yours seems to be the 1920 mafia-style Hollywood mentality out West, so why not?
“As other states roll back people’s rights, California will continue to protect fundamental freedoms for all and welcome businesses that stand up for their employees,” Newsom said in a statement. “Extending this program will help ensure California’s world-renowned entertainment industry continues to drive economic growth with good jobs and a diverse, inclusive workforce.”
But it looks like Hollywood might already be off to a flying start in the Orange State as Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp had already announced on Monday that film and television production generated $4.4 billion in the state this fiscal year.
Four of the top six spots for highest domestic-grossing movies were filmed in Georgia: “Avengers: Endgame,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home, “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” according to Fox News.
Sorry Gavin, looks like Hollywood is happier done south, but are you surprised? So is the rest of America who fled your liberal disaster when you decided to UN-scientifically locked down your residence for greener and more tropical pastures.
Just like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did, Kemp focused on the economy over politics. “When the pandemic struck, we worked hard in Georgia to communicate with our partners in the Georgia film, TV, and streaming industries,” Kemp said in a statement. “Together, we forged a safe and appropriate path to allow the film industry to return to operations and deliver Georgia Made productions to eager consumers all around the world – even when some states continued to stay shut down and stifle the industry’s return to normalcy.”
Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt also reacted to Newsom’s ad in a tongue-in-cheek statement, saying he was “happy to name Gavin Newsom Oklahoma’s Economic Developer of the Year Award in 2021, and I’m glad to see he’s making a run for two years in a row,” according to a statement reported by the New York Times.
“Instead of attacking strong conservative leadership in red states like Oklahoma, perhaps Gavin Newsom should focus on addressing his state’s income tax, which is the highest in the nation, out-of-control energy costs, endless violent crime, people shooting up drugs in the streets, chronic homelessness, high cost of living, gridlock traffic, and rolling blackouts,” Stitt’s spokeswoman added in a statement to Fox News Digital. “If he needs pointers on how to actually run a state, he should give Governor Stitt a call.”
It was a nice try though Newsom, now go and crawl back to California with your tail between your legs and reflect on the fact that you will never be President Of The United States.
