Gov. Perry: It's Time for Texas to Take the Lead in the Entertainment Industry

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today reiterated his request that the Texas Legislature allocate $60 million to fund the Texas Film Incentive Program in order to cultivate the state’s entertainment industry to attract investment and create jobs for Texans.

“The entertainment industry is an essential part of Texas’ economy, bringing in more than $1.2 billion over the past ten years, but those numbers are declining,” Gov. Perry said. “We want to create a sustainable program that not only attracts individual productions, but develops the skills, infrastructure, and culture that will give us a long term competitive edge in the industry.”

The governor was joined by Sen. Bob Deuell and Rep. Dawnna Dukes, who have filed Senate Bill 605 and House Bill 873, respectively, in efforts to strengthen the state’s film incentive program this session.

Gov. Perry also emphasized the need to fortify the state’s entertainment industry by ensuring that Texas graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as competitive animators, writers, actors and directors; maintaining quality production facilities; and ensuring Texas’ economic climate continues to maximize the value of project investments.

Texas has lost approximately 7,000 crew positions and $500 million in production spending to states with more competitive film incentives, such as New Mexico, whose feature film and television productions contributed $242 million to its state economy in 2008, and Louisiana, which earned $350 million in production in 2007. Currently, about 25 percent of Texas-based film professionals are working in these states, some starting to relocate permanently.

“Texas has been a player in the industry from its earliest days, and I’d put Texas storytellers, moviemakers, actors and crew members up against those from any other state,” Gov. Perry said. “Sure, Texas has the prettiest locations, but we want producers to leave money on the table in other states and come here because the best crews, resources and opportunities are in Texas.”

For more information on Texas film incentives, please visit http://www.governor.state.tx.us/film