Bill aims to bring Hollywood to Pennsylvania with bigger tax credit: ‘Economic benefits'
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — A soon-to-be introduced bill in Pennsylvania would increase film tax credits in hopes of bringing more filming — and economic boosts — to the Commonwealth.
Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery County) plans to introduce legislation that will raise the tax cap for filming from $100 million to $125 million.
'The countless economic benefits of film production have heightened competition among states looking to attract filmmaking,' Ciresi penned in a memorandum. 'Because the state's current tax credit level is capped at $100 million, projects are turned away each year due to lack of funding. An untold number of film products – even projects that are set in Pennsylvania but filmed elsewhere – are lost to other states that are enjoying the economic advantages of this industry.'
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development told Ciresi that since the inception of PA's film production tax credit in 2007 through the end of fiscal year 2023-24, 592 projects were approved for tax credits — injecting over $4 billion into the state's economy.
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While many movies have been filmed in Pennsylvania, including most of M. Night Shyamalan's films, others take place in Pennsylvania but were filmed in other states due to the budget, Ciresi added. Most notably, Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, which takes place in Punxsutawney, was mostly filmed in Illinois, including the outdoor scenes around town.'An untold number of film products – even projects that are set in Pennsylvania but filmed elsewhere – are lost to other states that are enjoying the economic advantages of this industry,' Ciresi wrote.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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