LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — There are still a lot of questions surrounding Governor Lombardo’s call for a special legislative session.
As of now, no details have been released on when it will be or what is on the agenda.
However, talks are growing of the potential revisiting of Assembly Bill 238, otherwise known as the ‘Movie Studio Bill.’
The legislation, which did not get a final vote in the senate during regular session due to delays, proposes the building of a movie studio in Summerlin as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Sony.
The possibility of that bill being brought back to the table in a special session has kick-started talks from both those for and against the legislation.
Those that are in favor of the bill include local unions like Laborer’s Local 872.
The union’s secretary treasure, Tommy White, told FOX 5 that this type of deal bringing thousands of jobs could be life changing.
“As union leaders, we have to look forward to the future of our members,” White said.
“We create by studios like this, we’re creating a future in building, we’re creating opportunities to build, and we’re also going to give our members a legacy to possibly retire on and know that they were part of building this in Las Vegas.”
White believes this can be a great development for the local economy, bringing in so many jobs for Nevadans.
Beyond that, it involves bringing in thousands of workers and utilizing local resources and establishments.
“When you build a project of this size, it’s everything else that goes around it. It’s the small businesses, it’s the stores, it’s the coffee shops, it’s the fast food restaurants, it’s the dining. Plus you have all the maintenance that goes on roads. This is a lot bigger than just us,” White said.
On the other side of the argument, those who oppose the bill becoming law disagree with the allocation of the $1.6 billion film credit for the project.
“That is not economic development. It is a budget leak,” Battle Born Progress communications director Amber Falgout said.
“Film tax credits are another Hollywood handout that favors wealthy corporations over regular people.”
Battle Born Progress was one of the groups coming together in Carson City Wednesday to speak out against the Movie Studio Bill.
They reaffirmed their position that this legislation is an example of politicians putting wealthy donors ahead of the needs of Nevadans.
“At a time when we are seeing unprecedented levels of funding cuts, a government shutdown, and a loss of programs and services, our governor must listen to his Office of Economic Development, which reported earlier this year that film tax credits are not sustainable and provide little to no return on investment,” Falgout said.
“Calling a special session to push through a $1.6 billion tax credit program for film studios is not just irresponsible, it is a dereliction of duty.”
Again, no official agenda has been announced at this point, so it’s not certain that the Movie Studio Bill will be discussed.
In the event it is, both sides stand firm in their positions and want Governor Lombardo to hear their sides when the time comes.
“We’re hoping that we’re going to also give some education to the legislators on how important this is,” White said.
“If we could get this bill up to the special session, then I believe this bill is going to pass.”
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