PRESS RELEASE
Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian, Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]
Contact: Adrin Nazarian
May 22, 2007
(818) 240-6330
STATE ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES SELECT COMMITTEE ON PRESERVING CALIFORNIA’S
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
SACRAMENTO, CA- Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez today announced the
formation of the Select Committee on Preservation of California’s
Entertainment Industry, which will be chaired by Assemblymember Paul
Krekorian. Krekorian represents the heart of the nation’s entertainment
industry — his district includes the areas of Burbank, Glendale, North
Hollywood and Los Feliz/Silver Lake, and encompasses most of the major
motion picture and television studios and countless other entertainment
businesses. Before his election to the Legislature, Krekorian, a
Democrat, represented entertainment industry clients as a lawyer
specializing in intellectual property and First Amendment matters.
"California’s entertainment industry is a treasured part of California’s
heritage, and it is also an invaluable foundation for our economic
future," said Assemblymember Krekorian. "So many other states and
countries are working overtime to lure this industry away from us
because they know it produces tremendous economic benefits and revenues
with good middle class jobs. Let me make clear — we are going to fight
hard to keep those jobs here, keep California competitive and make sure
the state is a great partner for this industry. I’m grateful to the
Speaker for entrusting me with this responsibility, which is of enormous
importance to working people throughout the state."
Besides Krekorian, the members of the Select Committee are Assembly
Majority Leader Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee
(R-San Luis Obispo), Assemblymember Mike Davis (D – Los Angeles),
Assemblymember Kevin de Leon (D – Los Angeles), Assemblymember Betty
Karnette (D – Long Beach), Assemblymember Mark Leno (D – San Francisco),
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D – Pasadena), and Assemblymember
Cameron Smyth (R – Santa Clarita).
Krekorian stated that the committee will hold hearings throughout the
state to study the economic impact of the loss of entertainment industry
jobs, and will develop a range of policy options to address the problem.
The Select Committee will focus on a variety of issues important to the
industry, including:
* Runaway production due to incentives outside
California;
* Piracy, counterfeiting and other intellectual
property crimes;
* Work force development and investment in arts and
career/tech education;
* Tax policy that encourages development of jobs and
infrastructure in California;
* Promoting California locations and reducing
impediments to production in the State.
Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) represents the cities of
Burbank and Glendale, and the Los Angeles communities of Atwater
Village, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley
Glen, Valley Village and Van Nuys.
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