Another Film Tax Credits Bill Seeks to Give Breaks to Corporations

NEVADA —Today, Nevada lawmakers heard the Nevada Film Infrastructure, Workforce Development, Education and Economic Diversification Act (SB220). This is another bill to give corporate movie studios hundreds of millions in tax breaks.

Kaylyn Kardavani, Executive Director of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“As we go further along in this legislative session, it is more and more obvious that critical needs of Nevadans will be unmet. We cannot afford to give away valuable resources, such as transferable tax credits, to corporations. We need to invest in Nevadans, not handouts to corporations."

Stacey Shinn, State Director of the State Innovation Exchange Action, issued the following statement:

“Nevada simply cannot afford to bankroll billion-dollar studios while our state budget faces deficits and urgent needs go unmet. Other states have poured taxpayer dollars into film tax credits, only to see little return—recovering as little as 15 cents per dollar spent and sometimes paying over $100,000 per job. Meanwhile, studios chase the biggest handouts, leaving as soon as a better deal comes. Warner Brothers and Sony have profited off taxpayer-funded subsidies in states like California and Georgia, inflating housing costs and driving up expenses for working families. We cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes. Nevadans are already struggling with rising costs—we should invest in them, not in corporate giveaways that only benefit Hollywood executives. Nevada’s future isn’t for sale.”

Serena Evans, Policy Director at Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, issued the following statement:

“Nevada is one of the few states that does not allocate funding for domestic and sexual violence services in its general budget, due to limited financial resources. Unsurprisingly, we rank second in the nation for domestic violence rates and fifth for rapes per capita. It is irresponsible for the state to consider offering millions in tax breaks to a billion-dollar industry while leaving some of our most vulnerable residents without essential support. To truly address violence in our communities, we need meaningful investments from the state to sustain critical services and programs. With looming funding cuts and budget deficits, now is not the time to consider this dangerous measure.”

Dawn Etcheverry, President at Nevada State Education Association, issued the following statement:

“At a time when the biggest plot twist in our state budget is that education funding is only increasing by two dollars, and a looming federal budget crisis threatens to cut hundreds of millions from our education programs, Carson City is somehow entertaining another Hollywood handout. Nevada education needs the Blockbuster Budget; Hollywood doesn’t need to use Nevada’s budget for its blockbusters. If SB220 were a movie, it would be Rated F for failed priorities, including a poor use of public money while Nevada ranks 48th in per-pupil funding with the largest class sizes and highest educator vacancies in the country. The Legislature needs to reject this misguided, economically debunked proposal. Instead, they should Pass the Plan recommended by the Commission on School Funding, a real solution that invests in Nevada’s schools and students.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

"Nevada is facing another measure that mirrors the same flawed approach. We already know Nevada is open for business but we’ve seen time and again that more tax breaks for massive corporations won’t bring about real economic diversification. Overblown promises mean little without tangible follow through, and neither Sony nor Warner Brothers has shown a track record that should reassure Nevadans. This is just another chapter in the nationwide race to see which state will offer the largest handout.

“Lawmakers must stay focused on pressing issues like housing, cost of living, and education - the very areas that, if strengthened, would truly broaden Nevada’s economy. Instead of lavishing unprecedented tax credits on corporations, we should invest in solutions that benefit everyone. Right now, Nevada can’t afford to settle for anything less.”

Mathilda Guerrero Miller, Government Relations Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Nevadans should be thrilled to learn that, in the middle of a budget deficit, our state is one step closer to handing hundreds of millions in tax breaks to Sony and Warner Bros., two of the wealthiest entertainment giants on the planet. While families are drowning in rent hikes, struggling to afford life saving medications, and pleading for free school meals for their kids, lawmakers are rolling out the red carpet for billion-dollar corporations. This isn’t economic development—it’s economic delusion. We are watching our leaders entertain Hollywood while ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to serve. Every cent given to these studios is stolen from our schools, our healthcare system, and our communities. Nevadans aren’t props in some feel-good film about job creation. We deserve better than being cast as background characters while the ultra-rich rake in the real rewards.”

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