LA County Supervisor Horvath Calls for Legal Action Against Warner-Bros-Paramount Merger After Union Roundtable

On July 14, 2026, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Hor — a former West Hollywood councilmember and 2024 county chair—met with leaders of the Entertainment Union Coalition in a roundtable that focused on the future of the county’s film and television industry. The meeting, led by Teamsters At‑Large Vice President and Motion Picture Division Director Lindsay Dougherty, brought together union representatives from film, television, music and live‑production sectors.

Hor — who represents the San Fernando Valley—emphasized that Hollywood’s economic importance requires active county involvement. She said the county must partner with labor and studios, push for smarter incentives, modernize permitting and protect the hundreds of thousands of workers and small businesses that rely on a thriving entertainment economy.

The discussion covered several policy proposals. Hor — and Supervisor Kathryn Barger—had previously introduced a motion to strengthen production in the county. The motion calls for an evergreen production fund, streamlined permitting through the LA County Film Office, elimination of duplicative fees and a low‑impact permitting process for unincorporated areas. The roundtable participants reviewed these ideas and agreed on the need for continued investment in local production.

A key outcome of the meeting was Hor — introducing a motion at the Board of Supervisors that supports legal action against the proposed merger of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance. The motion is part of the county’s broader response to industry consolidation, which includes advocacy regarding the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery deal that was approved by the U.S. Department of Justice on June 12, 2026 but faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny.

Hor — also reaffirmed her support for California’s expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program. She highlighted proposals to extend credits to post‑production and commercial production, building on the state’s recent expansion that has attracted 170 projects and is projected to generate $6.6 billion in economic activity.

The coalition’s membership is extensive. It includes the California Federation of Labor Unions, LiUNA! Local 724, IBEW Local 40, the California IATSE Council, Teamsters Local 399, SAG‑AFTRA, American Federation of Musicians Local 47, IATSE Local 892, Writers Guild of America West and the International Cinematographers Guild IATSE Local 600. Representatives from these unions underscored the importance of protecting workers’ rights while keeping the county competitive.

The meeting also addressed permitting challenges. Hor — and the coalition—identified duplicative fees and complex zoning requirements as barriers to production. The county’s Film Office is working on a streamlined process that would reduce paperwork and speed approvals for projects in both incorporated and unincorporated areas.

In summary, the July 14 roundtable reinforced the county’s commitment to sustaining Hollywood’s economic engine. Hor — and the coalition—will continue to push for expanded tax credits, simplified permitting, and legal measures to counter the potential consolidation of major studios. The motion to support legal action against the Warner‑Bros‑Paramount merger has been filed with the Board of Supervisors and will be considered in upcoming meetings.

The county’s next steps include finalizing the evergreen production fund proposal, implementing the streamlined permitting framework and monitoring the progress of the legal action against the merger. The outcomes of these initiatives will shape the future of Los Angeles as a global entertainment hub.