Assemblymember Zbur Calls for Renewed Talks to Preserve Entertainment Jobs and Production in California
SACRAMENTO, CA — In a letter sent today, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) urged Attorney General Rob Bonta and the parties involved in the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger to return to the table and work toward a responsible resolution. Zbur represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Paramount Studios and a portion of Warner Bros. Studios and is home to thousands of entertainment workers and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on these studios.
Zbur issued the following statement:
"California's entertainment industry is going through a difficult period. Productions have left the state, work has become harder to find, and thousands of workers, families and small businesses that depend on the industry are feeling the effects.
"I appreciate Attorney General Bonta's commitment to standing up for Californians, preserving competition and holding major companies accountable. I also believe that protecting California's entertainment workforce—and preserving the jobs and production that sustain it—must be a primary consideration in any path forward.
"I respectfully urge Attorney General Bonta and the other parties involved in the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger to return to the table and work toward a resolution. California cannot afford to lose more production, jobs or businesses that have grown around this industry.
"A responsible path forward should address legitimate concerns about the merger while securing meaningful commitments to protect workers, preserve jobs and maintain production in California. I hope the Attorney General can help bring the parties together and reach such a resolution."
Last year, Zbur and Senator Ben Allen authored and led the effort to pass the California Film and Television Jobs Act, which expanded and modernized the state's film and television tax credit program to rein in runaway production and put Californians back to work. This year, Zbur also helped lead the effort to pass SB 186, budget trailer bill legislation that protects the program from some of the damaging impacts of the business tax-credit limits imposed by SB 122.
Zbur serves on the California Film Commission and chairs the new Assembly Select Committee on Growing and Retaining the Creative Economy in California, which will bring together workers, industry leaders and other stakeholders to identify additional steps California can take to retain and grow its entertainment industry.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov