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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: James M. Dawes Communications Director Professional Licensure Committee |
State Rep. Mike Sturla D-Lancaster Majority Deputy Whip Chairman, Professional Licensure Committee |
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Sturla speaks at rally to bring more entertainment business to Pa.
HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, today spoke at a Capitol rally to build more support for his legislative package that would make Pennsylvania more competitive in the entertainment industry.
“I thank Chairman Pete Daley and the House Commerce Committee for quickly acting on my bills last week,” Sturla said. “They recognized how effective it would be to Pennsylvania’s economy to provide a film production tax credit and expand the state’s Film Production Grant Program. Today’s rally will keep the momentum going as a vote on the bills is anticipated by the full House this week.”
Actors, producers, directors, business leaders, legislators, creative artists, film and television professionals, teamsters, technicians and stagehands joined Sturla at the rally. Participants came from all across the state, including Lancaster, the Lehigh Valley, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Poconos and Scranton.
Sturla’s H.B. 1528 would provide a film production tax credit of up to 25 percent of production expenses for films with a budget over $2 million. The credit would only apply to production expenses incurred in Pennsylvania.
Sturla’s H.B. 1529 would support the growing independent film industry by increasing the state’s Film Production Grant Program by 50 percent, from $10 million to $15 million. The program would be limited to productions with a budget of less than $2 million. The grants, which could not exceed 20 percent of the production costs, would cover certain expenses incurred in Pennsylvania, including transportation, music and story rights, food, lodging and insurance coverage.
“Everybody already knows Pennsylvania has great scenery and culture,” Sturla said. “My legislative package would help both independent films and large productions come to Pennsylvania and turn our Commonwealth into an ideal East Coast destination for the entertainment industry.”
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