For immediate release
Media Contact: Amber Havens, 225.342.5580 amber.havens@la.gov

LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE CLOSES 2009 REGULAR SESSION WITH STRONG SUPPORT FOR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Baton Rouge, LA, June 29, 2009: When the Louisiana Legislature closed its 2009 Regular Session, it had demonstrated strong support for the state’s developing entertainment industry by passing a package of bills designed to support programs and strengthen incentives for motion picture production, sound recording, live performance and digital/interactive media. Significantly, legislators raised the film production incentive to 30% and increased the digital interactive media tax credit to 25% for the production of media such as video games, simulation software, and social media internet sites. Despite a $1.3 billion drop in state revenue, the Legislature has made permanent these tax incentives that are helping the entertainment industry catapult into a thriving contributor into the state’s economy.

“It’s clear that our legislators consider this industry a vital part of Louisiana’s future,” said Sherri McConnell, director of the Louisiana Economic Development Office of Entertainment Industry Development. “We’re very gratified by their support during a very challenging economic period for both our state and the country.”

The package of entertainment bills now goes to Governor Bobby Jindal for signature. The governor expressed his support for these programs as important economic drivers prior to the start of regular session.

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