Paramount's David Ellison Meets With House Members On Tax Incentive
Deadline • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Paramount CEO David Ellison and Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim met with House Ways & Means Committee members to advocate for a federal film tax incentive aimed at curbing the offshoring of productions.
- The meeting coincided with California Attorney General Rob Bonta leading a multi-state lawsuit to block Paramount's proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, citing concerns over increased market power.
- Bipartisan support exists for a federal incentive, with figures like Sen. Adam Schiff and industry guilds emphasizing that state-level programs are insufficient to keep productions in the U.S.
- Legislative challenges remain due to a tight congressional calendar, with limited time before summer recess and the upcoming midterm election season.
- The Trump administration is reportedly considering the issue, balancing federal and state roles in film incentives, with industry groups urging a positive incentive approach rather than tariffs.
