EXCLUSIVE: State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, the Pennsylvania Film Industry Association and the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia film offices will voice their support for an increase in the state’s film tax credit program. 

Bartolotta, R-Monongahela, advocates an increase in the film tax credit program from $100 million to $300 million. Bartolotta and the film organizations will hold a press conference in the main rotunda of the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg at 1 p.m. today.

In a news release, Bartolotta highlighted the significance of increasing the tax credit program, stating, “Preserving Pennsylvania’s long history of film and industry productions will help further expand jobs and provide much-needed protections to those working in the commonwealth.”

Bartolotta has touted the economic benefits of boosting the state’s film tax credit program for several years. Bartolotta believes the state has turned away hundreds of millions of dollars by not investing more into its film tax credit program.

New York and New Jersey upped their film incentive programs in the last couple of years and have seen increases in revenue and jobs. Two more neighboring states, Maryland and Ohio, are set to increase their film incentive programs next year as well. 

As co-chair of the Senate Film Industry Caucus, Bartolotta has advocated for an increase in Pennsylvania’s film tax credit program for years. 

In 2022, the state raised the cap on the film tax credit program from $70 million to $100 million. Even prior to that, Bartolotta introduced a bill to raise the program to $125 million in 2021, but it didn’t go anywhere. 

Bartolotta’s push for increasing the film incentive program has received bipartisan and bicameral support, including from Jay Costa, D-43, who is a fellow co-chair on the Senate Film Industry Caucus.

In October 2023, a bill to increase the state’s film incentive program to $150 million passed in the House with a 102-101 vote but the bill stalled in the Senate. The bill was co-sponsored by 14 democrats in the House.