The DGA actively worked in many of the 45 states where production incentives now exist. The DGA continues to work in coalitions and with other partners in numerous states to promote the benefits of film and television production.
In Sacramento, the Guild works closely with the Governor's office, the California Legislature, and the California Film Commission. The 2009 passage of a five-year, $500 million California tax credit for film and television production was the culmination of a decade-long effort by the DGA and others in the California entertainment community to help keep California competitive. In September 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law bills AB 2026 & SB 1197, which created a two-year extension of the incentive, ensuring that tax credits will be available through 2015. As of Fall 2012, this successful program has been responsible for generating $3.9 billion in direct spending statewide, including $1.3 billion in wages to 27,000 below the line crew members. DGA members and staff have testified on behalf of the incentive program at informational state hearings in Sacramento and many members reached out to their local elected officials in support of this program. The Guild will continue to work, together with its partners, to ensure that California remains competitive. (Additional information can be found on the California Film Commission’s website at: http://www.film.ca.gov/Incentives.htm)
In New York, the DGA worked closely with its partners to ensure the renewal of the hugely successful New York tax incentive. In August 2010, legislation was enacted to create an additional pool of funding for the state incentive program, allocating $420 million/year through 2014. (Additional information can be found on the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development website: http://www.nylovesfilm.com/tax/)
With the incentives that many states and local governments have enacted, filmmakers now have greater options to keep television and film productions in the United States. (Further Information on individual state incentives can be found at the Association of Film Commissioners International site at this link: http://www.afci.org/browse/united_states.php)