[CTC] Hollywood Hopes to Dazzle Lawmakers on Fast Track

[Mark Harrison]

CQ NEWS
June 8, 2015 - 12:39 p.m.
Hollywood Hopes to Dazzle Lawmakers on Fast Track
By Kate Ackley, CQ Roll Call
Hollywood wants to add some glitz to the corporate push for fast-track authority.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is using economic data, not celebrities, in targeting lawmakers in Georgia, Texas and four other states that have significant film and TV production.
The movie lobby argues that new trade deals could boost local jobs across the United States. The effort, which kicked off Monday, is aimed at urging House lawmakers to support the Trade Promotion Authority bill (HR 1314<http://www.cq.com/bill/114/HR1314>) that could come up for vote as soon as this week.
That measure would help prime Congress for up-or-down consideration of new trade deals, including a Trans-Pacific Partnership pact with 11 countries.
"From seamstresses and carpenters to electricians and camera grips, the film and television industry supports an enormous amount of good-paying American jobs," said former Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., chairman and CEO the MPAA. "Supporting TPA and the U.S. trade agenda - including TPP - will enhance America's competitive advantage around the world and allow our industry to drive even more economic activity here at home."
The other states targeted in the campaign are Illinois, Ohio, Florida and New York, where Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice<http://www.cq.com/person/54008> announced her support for fast-track over the weekend, drawing organized labor's ire.
The film and TV industry supports more than 39,000 direct jobs in Texas; more than 24,000 direct jobs in Georgia; and more than 11,500 direct jobs in Ohio, the MPAA said. The economic data<http://www.mpaa.org/creating-jobs/> can be found on the MPAA website

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