Boxer: Dems' 'Vision' Playing Out in Golden State (as L.A. Struggles with Fleeing Movie Biz)

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) lauded her state’s practice of taxing the wealthier as putting California on the track to financial success — even though L.A.’s mayor declared a state of emergency from overtaxed and overregulated motion picture companies leaving Hollywood, taking jobs with them.

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“It’s very clear Jerry Brown had a vision. He shared with the people when run as did President Obama. The difference is that Jerry has a very strong legislature, democrats run the place. They run all three branches with strong majorities. And we know because we look back when Bill Clinton was the president working with us, we got that budget balanced,” Boxer said on MSNBC.

She lambasted those who think “that Democrats don’t know how to balance budgets when we’re the ones who do.”

“Because we do ask everyone to pay their fair share and we are tough on spending that doesn’t make sense, and Jerry has done an outstanding job, and so has the legislature.”

The senator said “there is one word that I think we always have to focus on and that’s fairness.”

“Everyone has to do their part, and clearly, I mean I’ve spoken to people in California who earn a lot, who were very anxious to help the country and help their state. And I think here in California we’ve proven the point you know, a rise in tide lifts all boats,” Boxer continued, advocating a hike in the federal minimum wage to “about $10.”

Yesterday, though, Variety reported that L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti “needs to convince skeptical state pols to combat the lure of rich tax incentives from outside California.”

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“I am starting to see people who have never made a feature film in Los Angeles,” Chris Baugh, location manager for Oscar winner “Argo,” which actually shot in L.A., told the small group outside a soundstage. “In fact, they are afraid to. They are concerned that it is too expensive and too difficult.”

…The California Film Commission recently released a sobering report concluding that the state “continues to experience a pronounced erosion of this signature industry.” Although the state’s incentive program has recaptured lower-budgeted features, TV movies and basic cable dramas, California is losing out big on network TV dramas and feature films. Many local businesses that support production have closed or been forced to lay off workers, and the trade unions report high levels of unemployment among their California members, according to the study.

Those who make over $1 million in California face a combined federal-state tax hit for 51.9 percent. Moving from California to Florida saves them 13.3 percent.

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