By Associated Press
March 24, 2010
The Massachusetts House has successfully batted back proposed caps on the state’s film tax credit program.
During a sometimes impassioned debate on the House floor on Wednesday, lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have limited the tax credit to $50 million dollars per year. Another failed amendment would have cut the tax credits to $7 million.
Gov. Deval Patrick had proposed the $50 million cap, saying the state needed to curb the tax breaks as it struggles with the lingering effects of the recession.
But supporters, including Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo, said the tax breaks have succeeded in luring big film projects to the state — creating jobs for local workers, boosting spending and luring tourists to Massachusetts.