Oregon lawmakers consider tripling film subsidy

Oregon lawmakers floated a proposal Thursday to triple a subsidy the state pays to attract movie and TV productions.

Legislation before a state House committee would increase that annual subsidy to $18 million — $36 million altogether over the coming two-year budget cycle. That’s up from $6 million a year now. Gov. John Kitzhaber had proposed doubling the annual subsidy to $12 million.

A report commissioned last year by the state and the Portland Development Commission found that Oregon’s subsidies have contributed to employment growth in the film and video industry, but that the incentives aren’t paying for themselves.

By Mike Rogoway, The Oregonian

Full Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/06/oregon_lawmakers_consider_trip.html#incart_river