Should Utah pony up more money to bring shows like ‘Yellowstone’ back to Beehive State? (deseret.com)
SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would more than double subsidies for films that shoot in the Beehive State sparked a passionate debate Tuesday about the popular television series “Yellowstone” and whether the entertainment industry deserves special incentives.
SB167 would increase the maximum tax credit the Governor’s Office of Economic Development can award to a motion picture during a year from $6.7 million to $15 million. The bill would cost $8.2 million in ongoing funding from the education fund.
Bill sponsor Sen. Ronald Winterton, R-Roosevelt, told the Senate he looked into running the bill when the Paramount Network series starring Kevin Costner stopped filming in Utah last year and moved to Montana due to tax incentives.
“This is money that left our state and went to Montana,” Winterton said.
He said the first two seasons’ filming brought $35 million and $40 million per year in local spending to his district in rural Duchesne County and surrounding areas.
The owner of the primary ranch location for the show said it brought “immediate and significant support” to ranching operations in the area, according to Winterton.
By: Ashley Imlay
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