California
Keep California Jobs in California
Crews, drivers, caterers, and vendors — the people behind California production.
California's entertainment industry is more than movie stars and studio executives. It supports hundreds of thousands of workers, thousands of businesses, and families and communities across the state.
But California is already losing entertainment jobs and production to other states. Now, as Attorney General Rob Bonta fights the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Paramount is reportedly considering moving major operations out of California.
California can't afford another entertainment exodus.
Neighbors for Strong Communities is helping Californians tell Attorney General Bonta what losing more jobs, businesses, and investment would mean for them.
Hollywood Is More Than Movie Stars
Los Angeles County's entertainment economy supports more than 325,000 workers and approximately 15,000 businesses.
That includes production crews, drivers, caterers, restaurants, editors, freelancers, contractors, vendors, working actors, neighborhood businesses, and the families who depend on those jobs.
When production leaves, the impact spreads.
- Workers lose days.
- Businesses lose customers.
- Families face uncertainty.
- Communities lose economic activity.
These are California jobs.
You Don't Have to Work in Hollywood to Care
Most people know what happens when good jobs become harder to find.
Maybe you've lost a job or had your hours cut. Maybe someone you love struggled to find work. Maybe you run a business and know what happens when customers disappear. Or maybe you're simply concerned about California losing major employers and investment.
Those experiences matter too.
We're asking Californians:
What does it mean when good jobs disappear — and what concerns you about California losing even more?
In Their Own Words
Californians who shared their stories with Attorney General Bonta.
"As a single mother, I remember my son outgrowing his shoes and not having the money to buy him new ones. I was working hard to recover and take care of him, but I had to sell some things I didn't want to let go of just to get him those shoes. That's why I'm concerned about California losing jobs, businesses, and investment."
"I know firsthand what it feels like for work to disappear. I experienced homelessness because I could not find enough work to support myself. We need to protect California jobs and ensure our state remains a place where people can find stable employment and build a future."
"The show I worked on wasn't picked up, and now I'm paying for my own health insurance out of pocket, which is a significant financial strain. Currently, only about 20% of our union members are working full-time, and the possibility of Paramount leaving California would make that number even smaller."
"It's terrifying not knowing where to find work in my field. Many of us in the entertainment industry don't have transferable skills. We have mortgages, children in school, and other bills that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to pay. Many of us will have to relocate outside of California to survive."
"I know what it feels like when steady work disappears. It creates a fear that delves deep into your psyche, a fear that doesn't go away easily, if at all. That deep-seated anxiety is why I'm writing to you today. California cannot afford to lose more good jobs."
"I have seen firsthand what it looks like when a parent struggles to make ends meet after losing a job. My own father went through that when I was younger. Seeing them struggle to put food on the table is a hardship no family should endure. This is why it is so important to protect the jobs we have here in California."
Why Neighbors Is Getting Involved
Public debates like this are usually dominated by corporations, attorneys, government agencies, economists, and professional advocates.
The people who live with the economic consequences deserve a voice too.
Neighbors for Strong Communities exists to make it easier for everyday people to participate in decisions affecting their communities, livelihoods, and futures.
Right now, we're collecting stories from Californians about work, economic security, their connection to the entertainment industry, and what keeping good jobs in California means to them.
As those stories come in, we'll share selected voices here with their permission.
What We're Asking
Our message to Attorney General Rob Bonta is simple:
Protect California jobs. Keep entertainment production and investment here. Drop your opposition to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
California should be competing to keep good jobs and major employers — especially at a moment when workers and businesses are already feeling the effects of declining production.
How It Works
Participants answer a few short questions about their experiences and perspective. Technology helps turn what they share into a personalized message to Attorney General Bonta.
Every participant remains in control. They can review the message, edit it, and decide for themselves whether to send it.
We don't speak for communities. We help communities speak for themselves.
Make Your Voice Heard
If you care about keeping jobs, businesses, and investment in California, we want to hear from you.
Everyone deserves a voice that matters.