Gov. Gavin Newsom supports Georgia filming boycott

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - California Governor Gavin Newsom supports those in Hollywood calling for a boycott of film production in Georgia until the state reverses its recently passed law restricting abortions.

"I encourage these boycotts, of sorts, because it will ultimately bring back an industry that we birthed here in our state," said Newsom.

Newsom acknowledged that California created an environment for Hollywood studios to "runaway" and produce content in other states, where tax situations are more favorable.

"We stopped investing," he said.

California's governor said he is working to rectify that situation. The Governor spoke to Fox 11's Elex Michaelson for the political talk show "The Issue Is:" Michaelson asked how Californians should respond to laws recently passed in Georgia and Alabama?

"We should push back!" Newsom said. "If you are raped or if you have an issue medically that requires you to get an abortion, you can be criminalized now in the state of Georgia for that. We can't sit back lightly and accept that. Roe vs Wade is well-established law. I think these are unconstitutional laws. These are not unique to Georgia, not unique to Alabama, we've seen these in Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, we've seen it in North Dakota…luckily the courts have intervened in a number of those states."

He continued, "You had 25 white males in that Alabama legislature determining the fate of women's rights in this country and their state. Potentially impacting the country if this goes to the Supreme Court and they overturn Roe v Wade. I'm proud to be in California where we have the backs of women and we'll protect their reproductive rights."

Should California itself enact a travel ban to Georgia and Alabama, similar to the reaction to other states passing anti-LGTBQ laws?

"That's up to individuals. To the extent we've seen this in the past with LGBTQ individuals, I remember a time when Mike Pence was governor of his state, one of the largest companies, Sales Force, said they'd no longer do business there," Newsom responded. "That had more impact than a state travel ban, meaning we won't use taxpayer dollars to subsidize things."

Michaelson also spoke in depth with Newsom about the Governor's plan to reform the California healthcare system.

Watch their full interview on Friday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 11 Los Angeles and Saturday at 6:30 a.m. on KTVU FOX 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area.