Louisiana Senate Debates Future Of Film Tax Credits

SHREVEPORT, LA - The battle over film tax credits in Louisiana is now headed to the Senate floor.

A Louisiana Senate committee has voted to keep the state’s film tax incentive program, but it will be trimmed back a bit.

Erin McCarty

Senator Sam Jenkins tells KEEL News he supports the efforts to keep the film tax credits and the historic restoration tax credits. Jenkins is Vice Chairman of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee which approved the amendments to the Governor's tax plan.

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Jenkins says:

“I support this legislation and the opportunity to offer and help shape the committee amendments to preserve the film tax and historic restoration tax credits. These programs have proven track records for creating jobs, attracting private investments and accountability by the recipients of the credits. I am hopeful that these tax credits will remain being tools to help build Louisiana’s economy.”

When Is the Vote on Film Tax Credits?

A vote on these tax breaks could come in the Senate on Thursday. The proposed changes would then have to go back to the House for reconciliation of the changes.

The House has previously voted to do away with the film tax credits and the historic restoration credits.

Now, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee has voted to keep the credits in place, but they have been pared back a bit.

What Changes Have Been Proposed to Film Tax Credits?

The Senators on the committee agreed to cap the spending on the film and historic building tax credits rather than eliminate them. Right now, the state spends up to $180 million on film tax credits and $125 million on historic restoration tax credits. This change would trim the film credits to $120 million per year and the historic tax credits to $85 million per year.

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One Celebrity Is Watching Legislation on Film Tax Credits

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is hoping Louisiana keeps the film tax credits in place. He has invested millions of dollars on his plan to bring his G-Unit Studios to Shreveport. He met with the Governor earlier this month to talk to him about his plan for Shreveport and to encourage Jeff Landry to find a way to keep the film tax credits in place.

In the Senate, it will take 26 votes to pass these measures. There are 28 Republican Senators.

The 43 Highest Grossing Movies Filmed In Shreveport

Our location information comes from IMDB. All of these movies are listed by IMDB to be filmed in Shreveport, even if it was just some scenes, reshoots, or the whole movie. We also got our Box Office Gross info from IMDB as well.