Legislation recently introduced in the state Senate aims to increase investment from the film industry.
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Greene County), increases the state’s film industry incentive from $70 million to $125 million. The increase would attract more film and television projects that cannot be supported by the current funding level for the program.
“Every year, we miss out on an untold number of film and television projects that want to film here but are lured away by better tax incentives in other states,” Bartolotta said. “Expanding this program would allow us to bring more of these projects, jobs, revenues, and economic activity to Pennsylvania communities instead of these benefits going to other states.”
The film industry tax credit was established in 2007 and has generated $785 million in total state and local taxes, more than $5 billion in total economic activity, and created more than 30,000 jobs.
Despite this, only 509 applicants of the 860 were approved to receive tax incentives.
The credit has attracted two television series and several film projects to Bartolotta’s district, including Southpaw and Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Bartolotta founded the Film Industry Caucus and is Senate Labor and Industry Committee chairwoman.