Connecticut’s film and television industry is pushing back hard against Governor Ned Lamont’s proposed reduction of the state’s 30% production tax credit, warning that the cut could drive business—and jobs—out of the state. The proposed adjustment, which would lower the top incentive rate to 25%, has been met with resistance from industry leaders who argue that Connecticut’s competitive edge in attracting productions will be severely weakened.

At a hearing before the state’s Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, production companies, actors, and industry advocates made the case that the tax credit is not just a financial incentive but a crucial economic driver. Jonathan Black, co-owner of Chair 10 Productions, emphasized that the credit directly funds job creation and production expansion, allowing companies to hire more crew members and extend filming schedules. “Instead of hiring 120 people, we could hire 160. Instead of shooting for 20 days, we could shoot for 25,” he testified, illustrating the direct impact of the incentive.

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed cut is its retroactive implementation, applying to productions that started filming as of January 1, 2025. Lauren Black of Chair 10 Productions highlighted the instability this creates, pointing out that potential productions—such as a $50 million Apple TV+ project considering Connecticut—could now reconsider their location. “This tax credit proposal is retroactive… meaning productions that are shooting right now are not going to get the tax credit that we were expecting,” she stated.

Connecticut was once home to one of the most attractive film incentives on the East Coast, but as competing states have sweetened their deals—some offering tax credits of 40% or more—Connecticut’s competitiveness has eroded. New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Canada have aggressively expanded their incentives, drawing productions away from states with uncertain or shrinking tax benefits. Jonathan Black noted that his company alone hired 350 workers last year and spent over $10 million in Connecticut, boosting the local economy through hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, and venue rentals.

Alessandro Andriciulli of the Connecticut Film and TV Alliance warned that unpredictability in the tax credit program discourages investment. “Much like a stock, when you see it fluctuating up and down, you are less likely to invest,” he explained. Stability in the incentive program is crucial for Connecticut to maintain its position as a viable filming destination.

NBCUniversal’s head of global production, Veronica Sullivan, stressed the program’s long-term benefits, noting that over 500 small businesses rely on the industry. Additionally, local actors have benefited from increased work opportunities without needing to travel to Massachusetts or New York. “Keeping it at 30% will be beneficial and keep us competitive with other states,” actress Coryse Villarouel testified.

The opposition to the tax cut is not universal, with some, including Carol Platt Liebau of the Yankee Institute, supporting the reduction as a necessary part of broader fiscal policy. The administration estimates that the cut could generate $9.2 million in additional revenue in FY 2026 and $17.1 million in FY 2027.

Still, industry leaders warn that the short-term financial gain pales in comparison to the long-term damage Connecticut’s film industry could suffer. With productions increasingly mobile and willing to relocate for better incentives, the state risks losing out on major projects—and the economic activity they generate—if it cannot maintain a competitive tax credit.