Rebate pitch for ‘Trauma’ creates drama
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
April 1, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — It’s a wrap for one television pilot looking to receive a large rebate for filming here.
In an unexpected turn, “Trauma” will not benefit from a change in a city program that offers film productions more money.
When taking a final vote Tuesday on legislation that would offer more cash to bring more filming to The City, the Board of Supervisors rejected applying the new rebate to the NBC show. The pilot, a show about the lives of a team of San Francisco-based emergency medical technicians, began a four-week shoot March 23.
Supervisor John Avalos said it made no sense to offer more money to something already in production. The bill was successfully amended to apply only to future projects.
Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, who introduced legislation to modify the rebate program, opposed the amendment, along with supervisors Sean Elsbernd, Carmen Chu and Bevan Dufty.
Supervisor Chris Daly, who opposed the rebate increase, suggested that the proposal was “pay to play” politics and pointed to the more than $24,000 in recent contributions from NBC executives to Mayor Gavin Newsom’s exploratory gubernatorial campaign.
“Chris Daly’s allegations are false,” Newsom spokesman Nathan Ballard said. “Mayor Newsom makes decisions for one reason and one reason only. He does what’s in the best interest of this city.”
Ballard said the rebate change is one part of Newsom’s effort to help stimulate the local economy.
Once amended to apply the change only to future productions, the legislation passed 10-1, with Daly opposing. The approved change allows productions to apply for up to $600,000 in rebates. The size will vary on a production’s spending.
IN OTHER ACTION:
In an 8-3 vote, a resolution making it city policy not to refer undocumented juveniles booked on felonies to federal immigration officers was adopted. Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier, Sean Elsbernd and Carmen Chu opposed it. The resolution counters a policy change imposed by Newsom last year to refer undocumented juveniles booked on felonies to federal authorities.
