HB 481 Is Actively Harming Georgia–But That’s Not The Real Lesson

When DAs representing a bit over 33% percent of Georgians say they won’t enforce a law because it’s implications weren’t thought out that should be enough to say we’ve got a bad law on our hands.

So, yeah, maybe the overriding lesson is that we shouldn’t have legislators grandstanding on poorly-written laws.

We now have actors and and production companies (here, here, and here) refusing to work in Georgia because of the law. As the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue makes clear; anything that’s bad for jobs is on it’s own bad. Even the MPAA was quick to warn Georgia that 90,000+ jobs and some $9.5 billion was generated by the film industry.

But once again the real lesson is we see the dangers of wanting to rush to the bottom with other states to lure industries and businesses. Doubly so when said industry doesn’t align with the values of the legislature.

Triply so with a cowardly governor who’s quick to insult the people behind the film industry but loathe to face them.

Of course we can’t know how much of the film industry may leave Georgia. But there’s no reason for it to stay if other states are willing to offer themselves up and be more aligned with Hollywood’s mores.

Did I also mention there’s going to be an ungodly amount of money spent challenging this in court and there’s already a preliminary injunction so whatever benefit was to come from HB 481 is nowhere near the horizon.