From KUT News:
Matthew McConaughey told a panel of Texas lawmakers Monday that, after 33 years in the film industry, one of his only regrets is not making more films in his home state.
The actor and Austinite testified before the Texas Senate Finance Committee in favor of Senate Bill 22, which would inject $500 million into a film incentive fund every two years until 2035.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens as McConaughey testifies in favor of a bill to incentivize filming in Texas. Patricia Lim / KUT News
The bill, authored by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), has received backing from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who was present at the hearing. Patrick named the bill among his top priorities for the legislative session earlier this year.
For many Texans in the film industry, making movies in the Lone Star State is simply too expensive. Productions often opt to shoot in states like New Mexico or Georgia, which offer larger incentive programs, like generous tax credits.
“If we pass this bill in Texas, we are immediately at the bargaining table for shooting more films and television and commercials in our state immediately,” McConaughey said.
Beside McConaughey sat fellow Texan Woody Harrelson. The actor did not testify, but recently starred in an ad alongside McConaughey, Dennis Quaid and Renée Zellweger urging lawmakers to pass bills to incentivize filming in Texas.
One priority of SB 22 is to fund productions that positively depict Texas. Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) told fellow committee members he detested the prospect of the fund being used toward vulgar productions. He referenced the Paramount+ show Landman starring Billy Bob Thornton — another longtime advocate for incentivized filming in the state — as a poor depiction of Texas values.
