Final LA Mayoral Debate: Nithya Raman Questions Karen Bass’ Motivation to Back Film Tax Credits

Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and her opponent Councilmember Nithya Raman went head-to-head in a fierce debate Tuesday just three weeks before Election Day.

Hollywood and its lack of jobs came up in the last five minutes of the debate when the candidates were asked how they would bring work back to Los Angeles. Both mayoral candidates have been open in support of state and federal film tax credit programs, but Raman claimed that Bass was behind the punch.

“This mayor only started talking about this tax credit after I entered the race. I feel an urgency about this issue,” she claimed.

“Oh, that’s completely untrue,” the incumbent mayor hit back.

Both Bass and Raman have stated they would advocate for an uncapped film tax credit program at the state level. Bass specifically retorted that she was involved directly in advocating for the state and federal tax credits during her tenure as mayor.

“What we have done with the industry, we’ve done in partnership with the industry,” she said. “So when you thought I didn’t do anything on the tax credit, I was busy advocating in Sacramento and also participating with the industry here.”

Bass received criticism for taking three years…