LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Thousands of workers make a final push for a Summerlin Studios film bill ahead of a looming special session for Nevada lawmakers.
The Summerlin Studios project backs the joint venture between Warner. Bros. and Sony Pictures.
FOX5 reported Thursday that lawmakers are booking flights and hotels to Reno, all to prepare to be in Carson City and the Legislature by November 13 for a Special Session.
Unions are rallying workers to urge lawmakers to support the bill ahead of a special session, all to create tens of thousands of jobs for Nevadans. Workers sent hundreds of letters to lawmakers signed by workers and their families.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had to have a lot of people that have went out of state. It’s affecting families,” said Brandon Morris, the Nevada government affairs lead for the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, based out of the Las Vegas Carpenters Union Local 1977. “We’ve got kids that are signing this saying, ‘bring my mom or dad home’,” Morris said.
According to Vince Saavedra of the Southern Nevada Building and Trades Unions, Governor Lombardo told him personally that he will put it on the agenda if it has enough votes to pass.
FOX5 has covered A.B. 238 and the debate surrounding the bill extensively. The bill proposed last session outlined a $120 million tax credit package over 15 years for productions at Summerlin Studios.
“We’ve been talking about diversifying our economy, bringing in new revenue streams so that when tourism slows down, we’re not in these hard times. And we have that opportunity before us right now to do just that, to diversify our economy with a brand-new industry that’s going to create 19,000 good paying construction jobs, and then in addition, 18,000 permanent jobs in the industry that pay six figures during a time when our state needs it the most,” Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui said to FOX5 last May.
Other lawmakers and interest groups have voiced concern and opposition to any tax credit package, also raising awareness the week before a possible session.
“I worry about the focus on the film industry and how sustainable are these jobs after the initial buildings are built,” said State Senator Robin Titus, the minority leader during a virtual panel on Monday. The bipartisan panel featured other lawmakers with various concerns.
“We’re looking at the jobs are just going to be there a couple years, versus what other infrastructure bill we need for other industries, the healthcare sector, and other jobs that we need,” Titus said.
Proponents argue that the guaranteed $2 billion in capital investment for infrastructure and workforce training prove that companies want to establish a long-term presence in Nevada.
FOX5 has covered the extensive criticism from teachers, social service organizations, small business advocates and other groups opposed to tax credits for movie studios.
Opponents argue that funding from tax credits should be diverted to boost budgets for education and social services.
“Why are we not providing that to our small businesses who are being hurt by tariffs? Why are we not providing that to our schools to uplift educators?” said Amber Falgout of Battleborn Progress, during a mid-October press conference.
A key debate centers around Return on Investment or ROI: for every $1 in tax credits given by Nevada, how much will the state get back in direct or indirect revenue?
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