OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington is boldly going where few states have gone before: It is ending incentives for the film industry.
A years-long arms race among states led almost all to offer various benefits to lure production studios. Up until the start of July, Washington was offering a 30 percent rebate off the amount of money spent in the state. But lawmakers declined to extend the program this year.
The industry warns that Washington stands to lose out on future productions because it can’t compete with the incentives offered in Vancouver to the north and Oregon to the south. State Sen. Jim Kastama says incentives can be better spent in research and development to grow future industries.
