Vote on Hollywood Handout, Assembly Bill 5, Fails on Nevada Senate Floor

CARSON CITY, NV - Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) was rejected today on the Nevada Senate Floor in a 10-8 vote with 3 absent. After a tumultuous journey, the largest handout to corporations in Nevada history failed. The measure would have given more than $1.5 billion in transferable film tax credits to film studios over the next 15 years.

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

“With the failure of AB5, the message is clear: Nevada is open for business, but not for corporate handouts. Film tax credit programs the world over have shown us a race to the bottom, pitting state and local governments against each other and eroding the tax bases that fund critical public services. It’s a shame that so much time and money was wasted on this shallow attempt to give away taxpayer dollars. Now, we look forward to seeing real solutions to do just that.”

Blaine Harper, AFSCME Local 4041 member, issued the following statement: 

“Hollywood studios are welcome to build in Nevada; they just don’t need Nevadans to fund their studios. We want to thank the legislators who stood up to corporate Hollywood to protect public services. We hope at the next legislative session, the legislature and governor will invest in Nevadans and the public services that make our communities stronger.”  

Andrew Clarke, Revenue Coalition Manager of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“With tonight's vote, the Nevada Senate's message was clear: Nevadans deserve a better return on investment.  As federal cuts and tariffs erode our budget, they've given working families, educators, and our most vulnerable the necessary breathing room.  Since the beginning of the Tesla Megadeal, bad-faith corporate actors have often come to Nevada as a respite. Today, we say no more. Together, we can now reimagine the state's budget as one that defends its most vulnerable – not those who can afford the most lobbyists."

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

“Schools Over Studios is the storyline Nevada’s students and educators deserve. For the third time, lawmakers attempted to approve a $1.65 billion dollar, economically debunked handout to Hollywood executives, and for the third time, it failed. Educators made clear that this giveaway would not solve a single issue facing public education. This proposal would have drained the General Fund, the fund that supports students and educators. Nevadans made it clear that public funds should serve the public good, not bankroll private profits. 

As this Special Session ends, Nevada still ranks 47th in per-pupil funding with the largest class sizes in the country. This Special Session was not for Nevadans. It came at their expense. When we say Schools Over Studios, it is not just a slogan. It is a commitment to our future. It is time to leave this Hollywood handout where it belongs, on the cutting room floor, and focus on real priorities.

Moving forward, we are committed to working with our union brothers and sisters on responsible, sustainable economic diversification that strengthens Nevada’s future and ensures every student has access to a high-quality public education.”

Olivia Tanager, Executive Director of the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, issued the following statement:

“Tonight’s vote is a reminder of the power held by people in our communities. Nevada Senators chose not to take the bribe and refused to give a massive handout to the film industry. Going forward, we must focus on robust investments in public transportation, lowering folks’ utility bills, and addressing the impacts of climate change across Nevada.”

SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

###

About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.