Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson seek $500 million for Texas film incentives

In early March 2025, at the Texas Capitol, actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson presented their case to state Senators regarding the need for improved incentives to attract film and television productions to Texas. They urged support for Senate Bill 22, a proposal to create a new $500 million incentive program during each two-year state budget cycle through 2035. Current funding stands at $200 million, but both actors emphasized that neighboring states like New Mexico and Georgia offer more attractive incentives for production companies. To demonstrate their commitment to filming in Texas, McConaughey and Harrelson revealed that they specifically agreed to reduce their personal salaries by 15% to facilitate the shooting of their new comedy in the state and not relocate to Georgia, which they considered a more lucrative option due to its robust incentives. The Senate hearing drew attention from several key figures, including Republican Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, whose presence highlighted the bipartisan interest in the proposed incentives. Chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, Republican Joan Huffman, addressed the positive effects of existing programs, citing significant in-state spending of over $2.5 billion and the creation of roughly 189,000 jobs in Texas during the life of similar initiatives. Additionally, Huffman noted that for each dollar granted in incentives, the state sees a return of approximately $4.69 in economic activity. As the momentum builds for the proposed bill, projections show that ongoing filming projects could lead to an average spending of over $2 million weekly in Texas, with many productions planned in the near future. The support for the bill includes local leaders like Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, who praised the economic gains observed from filming in Fort Worth, referencing the production of the popular series "1883". However, there were concerns raised by some Senators, including Donna Campbell, who expressed reservations about whether the guidelines for qualifying projects sufficiently limit profanity and other controversial content. Campbell described the bill as a potential "handout" and questioned the overall fiscal responsibility of granting taxpayer-funded incentives to filmmakers. As discussions continue, both supporters and detractors of the initiative are expected to engage in debates over the future of the Texas film industry and the implications of this proposed legislation on the state’s economy. The outcome could potentially redefine Texas's standing in the competitive landscape of film production, influencing where major studios choose to shoot their projects in the coming years.