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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2014 02:33 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Wayne D. Fontana |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Film Production Tax Credits for Certain Commercial TV Series |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation that would cap the amount television series, whose primary purpose is the sale of commercial goods, are eligible to receive from the Film Production Tax Credit. My legislation would also put a limit on how many years these types of productions could receive a film tax credit. Furthermore, my bill would prohibit commercial and marketing type advertisements from receiving funding under the film tax credit. The purpose of the Film Production Tax Credit is to bring the film industry to the commonwealth and spend money that would otherwise not be spent here. Year after year, film tax credits are used up well before the end of the fiscal year and the industry attributes the lack of sufficient funding with stunting the possible film and production opportunities for the commonwealth. With 38 states having some sort of film tax credit program, Pennsylvania must look for ways to remain competitive and continue to attract this industry to our state. In 2014, articles were published in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and the Citizens Voice in Luzerne County about the growing dilemma of television companies, who are selling goods, utilizing the film tax credit to benefit their production. In addition, over the years, I have had discussions with several key stakeholders in the industry in which we determined that mechanisms need to be put in place so that corporate subsidies that are already established in Pennsylvania are not taking away from other businesses who would like to set up in the commonwealth and contribute beneficially to our economy. This legislation was introduced as SB 1435 during the 2013-14 session and co sponsors included Senators Hughes, Smith, Brewster, Costa, Boscola and Farnese. I hope you will consider joining me by co sponsoring this beneficial legislation. |
Introduced as SB217