Massachusetts Film Tax Credits Remain Strong….
The industry has much to be grateful for. Our Massachusetts Film Tax Credits are intact. Except for the support of key elected legislators, we could have been devastated. Save for industry members who believe in what we are doing, we could be in Hollywood’s rear view mirror.
The Commonwealth is having its best year ever of visiting studio and major productions working in this state. We have a ten-episode series shooting in New England Studios. Hollywood has once again taken notice. Future films will consider coming to Massachusetts. Another series is on its way.

Cahill (center), with Quincy elected officials Representative Bruce Ayers, Representative
Tacky Chan (a SAG-AFTRA member), House Majority Leader Ron Mariano and Senator John Keenan. The whole delegation supports
film tax credits. An IMAGINE photo.
during the Committee of Conference in behalf of our industry. An IMAGINE photo.

after the Conference Committee reconciliation
of the House and Senate Budgets that worked out well for our industry. An IMAGINE photo.
Governor Baker is known to have said that he tried it twice and it’s apparent to him that Film Tax Credits are the will of the legislature (well, certainly the House of Representatives as that is where tax policy is constitutionally vested first) and the citizens of the Commonwealth.
But, then, the somewhat unexpected happened. We suspected that there would be amendments from the Senate. We didn’t know they would pass.
talking to industry supporters Massachusetts’
Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante
(Gloucester, Rockport and Essex) after the Committee of Conference reconciled in our industry’s favor. An IMAGINE Photo.
Senator Michael Rodrigues from Westport, who represents Fall River, MA, filed an amendment that would damage our industry’s ability to attract big budgeted films. Taking the “attractive” out of our “attractive film incentives” program. Essentially, large budgeted movies would be deterred from coming to Massachusetts and very few productions could meet the 75% of budget requirement or the cap on salaries in this global climate.
The Senate voted for the amendment to be included in the Senate budget. Twenty-three Senators of the thirty-eight possible (2 open seats) stood against us! Nine Senators stood for us. And we’re grateful for them.
It’s important at this time that we extend our appreciation and gratitude for those who stood with us in the Senate. The vote was a sneaky one. They counted in a rare standing vote without naming Senators who stood against us.