Congress can save America’s unique history and boost the economy with just one move
Three entertainment industry representatives urge Congress to pass a federal film and television tax incentive this year, arguing it would help bring production back to the US and protect jobs. They say the industry supports workers and businesses across the country, and that foreign production incentives have made the US less competitive.
The article says film and TV generate more than 2 million jobs and over $200 billion in annual wages, while production’s share of global activity has fallen from 65% to 39%. It cites research estimating that restoring the earlier share could add nearly $250 billion to local economies and create more than 143,000 jobs a year; state programmes in Georgia and Texas are offered as examples of incentives generating economic returns.
In short
- Industry representatives call for a federal production tax incentive.
- The US share of global production has dropped from 65% to 39%.
- A study estimates restoring that share could add $250 billion and 143,000 jobs.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A federal film and television incentive could help US productions compete with countries offering subsidies, attracting work that supports crew members, suppliers and local businesses. If designed well, it could preserve domestic production capacity and cultural institutions while generating jobs and wider economic activity, as supporters say state programmes have done.
The case against
A federal incentive would use public money to subsidise a large industry, with no guarantee that the resulting production or jobs would be additional, lasting or worth the cost to taxpayers. Critics could argue that public funds have competing priorities, and that broad subsidies may reward companies for activity they would have undertaken anyway rather than make US production sustainably competitive.
Explained simply
Film and television production involves a wide network of workers and businesses, from actors and camera crews to caterers, transport firms and equipment suppliers. Productions can take place wherever the costs and facilities suit, so countries and US states compete to attract them.
Tax incentives are payments or tax breaks designed to make filming in a location more affordable. Some US states, including Georgia and Texas, offer them, while other countries also use incentives to attract productions.
The debate in Congress is about whether to create a federal incentive alongside state programmes. Supporters say it could bring more work to the US and benefit local economies; the proposal concerns how public policy might affect jobs, investment and where productions are made.
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