California and Georgia spar over film industry jobs

But we’re still on the job, bringing you the top three political stories of the day.

1. California vs. Georgia

“We’re coming for your jobs.” The message from Dee Dee Myers, California’s economic development chief, could not have been more clear. And although it was said in jest, it highlights the fierce competition between Georgia and the home of Hollywood for the shrinking pipeline of TV and film productions. Savannah Sicurella has the details after traveling to Los Angeles for a summit with entertainment executives and stakeholders.

• California steps up. The Golden State more than doubled the size of its film tax incentive this year, resulting in a 400% increase in applications. It’s still not as lucrative as Georgia’s uncapped tax credit. But it’s the first significant response from California since Georgia entered its turf.
• Georgia’s response. Georgia hasn’t stood pat. The state Legislature earlier this year revived a standalone post-production tax credit and passed a law aimed at helping production companies monetize their credits faster. But those were smaller steps compared to California.
• Big stick. The federal government could wield the largest weapon. President Donald Trump has backed 100% tariffs on foreign-made films, although one expert thinks that is unlikely. If it did happen, it could suddenly shift productions back to the U.S.

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From left: U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins, and former football coach Derek Dooley are all Republican Senate candidates in Georgia.

2. Would Georgia’s GOP Senate front-runner please stand up?

Gov. Brian Kemp wanted to avoid a messy Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. So much for that. The latest fundraising deadline showed the race has no clear front-runner despite Kemp throwing his vaunted political network behind former football coach Derek Dooley. As Greg Bluestein writes, the split has big implications in the race to challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.

• Surprising strength. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins posted the biggest number of the three major Republicans. He did it mostly with small-dollar contributions scattered across all 50 states. It’s the kind of political network that can keep on giving.
• It’s complicated. The division likely hurts Dooley the most. He has cast himself as an outsider who, with Kemp’s backing, is in the best position to raise the money necessary to compete with Ossoff’s well-funded campaign. But the fundraising reports don’t lie.
• What will Trump do? President Donald Trump has not endorsed anyone yet. And he might not if the race stays tight. Trump likes to pick winners. An uncertain outcome could keep him on the sidelines until a runoff or the general election.

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Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during a rally for Republican Public Service Commission candidates on Monday.

3. Democrats are making Republicans nervous

Early voting starts next week for two seats on the Public Service Commission. There’s a real fear among the GOP that Democrats could win those seats, spoiling the Republican Party’s domination of nonfederal statewide offices. Greg Bluestein lays out what’s at stake.

• Looking ahead. Losing two seats on a little-known regulatory agency by itself wouldn’t mean much. The GOP would still have a majority on the commission. But Democratic wins would stir the left to action one year out from the midterms. “The Democrats are going to be emboldened,” Republican state Sen. Larry Walker noted.
• Streak in jeopardy. It’s been nearly two decades since a Democrat has won a statewide race that wasn’t a federal office. Losing these seats would loosen the GOP’s grip on state politics at a time when Democrats have been slowly chipping away at the Republican majority in the Georgia Legislature.
• The few, the proud. Only 2.5% of the state’s 8.4 million registered voters cast ballots in the PSC primary in June. Poll workers outnumbered voters in some rural counties during the runoff election the following month. Another minuscule turnout for the general election makes forecasting the race that much harder.