Texas lawmakers boost film incentives to $200M but industry says long-term changes needed

A record $200 million is set aside for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program in the next biennium — the program provides rebate grants to qualifying movies, TV shows, commercials and video games made in the state. That’s reason to cheer for many in the film industry. But many say that if the Lone Star State wants to really become a destination for moviemaking, bigger questions about incentives need to be addressed. However, some think the whole program isn’t a good investment of public money.