Lawmakers sweeten the deal for Texas-based film and TV productions
Texas lawmakers have approved a major film incentive bill, signaling a long-term effort to make the state more competitive for projects.
Why it matters: Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would inject $1.5 billion into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years through 2035 — the biggest support for film incentives in the state yet.
Backed by celebs, the bill is a major win for production advocates who say Texas has lost out for too long.
Eligible expenses would include wages for Texas workers, meals from local restaurants, and airfare on Texas-based airlines — all of which could be reimbursed through the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.
Driving the news: The Texas House approved the Senate-passed bill over the weekend and it will likely be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it, per the Fort Worth Report.
State of play: The proposal originally sought $500 million every two years, but the figure dropped to $300 million following committee discussions.
Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), who sponsored the bill in the House, said he'll keep pushing for the higher amount in future budget cycles, per the Fort Worth Report.
Yes, but: Despite the drop, the bill would still mark the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program's biggest upgrade yet if signed by Abbott. The consistent funding would support long-term planning and extended productions, the nonprofit Media for Texas tells Axios.
Flashback: Since launching in 2007, Texas' film incentive program has seen inconsistent funding. In 2023, lawmakers didn't overhaul the program but approved a then-record $200 million for the 2024–2025 budget — a major jump from the previous $45 million.
Zoom in: Houston saw more than $81 million in film-related economic impact in 2024 — more than double the previous year — with projects like Netflix's "Mo" in Alief and Paramount's "1923" filming in the region, per Houston First.
What they're saying: "This bill will enable Texans to take a leading place in this industry," Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, tells Axios. "And instead of this fear of Hollywood coming to Texas, we should look at the opportunity for Texas to be a leader in this industry and spread light in places where industry may not be working. So I think it's just a huge, huge, huge opportunity for Texas."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Davidson Bogel Real Estate Represents Advanced Online Products Inc. in 79,887 SF Lease Renewal at 750 Gateway Blvd in Coppell, TX
COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 20, 2025-- Davidson Bogel Real Estate ('DB2RE') is pleased to announce the successful lease renewal of 79,887 square feet on behalf of Advanced Online Products Inc. at 750 Gateway Blvd in Coppell, Texas. Located in the heart of the DFW Airport Submarket, the industrial space features 24-foot clear heights and full climate control with 100% HVAC—ideal for high-performance operations and logistical efficiency. The tenant, Advanced Online Products Inc., renewed their lease with landlord Robert Allen of First Industrial Realty Trust. David Guinn and Phillip Maxwell of Davidson Bogel Real Estate represented the tenant in the transaction. DB2RE was the sole brokerage firm involved in the deal. This lease renewal underscores the continued demand for high-quality industrial space in one of the most sought-after submarkets in North Texas. About DB2RE Davidson Bogel Real Estate (DB2RE) is a boutique land investment advisory group and brokerage firm headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Founded by David Davidson, Jr., and Edward Bogel in 2015, the base principal of the company is exceptional client service, with investment and development of land throughout Texas and Oklahoma as the focus. DB2RE concentrates on land acquisitions, dispositions, and investment sales for families, trusts, and developers of retail, multi-family, industrial/mixed-use, and single-family communities. View source version on CONTACT: For more information about this transaction, please contact: [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BUILDING SYSTEMS OTHER CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY URBAN PLANNING SOURCE: Davidson Bogel Real Estate Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/20/2025 05:39 PM/DISC: 06/20/2025 05:39 PM
Associated Press
20 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Envela to Participate in iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Summer Investment Conference 2025
IRVING, TX / ACCESS Newswire / June 20, 2025 / Envela Corporation today announced that its management team will be participating in the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Summer Investment Conference 2025 on June 24-25, 2025. CEO John Loftus and CFO John DeLuca will deliver a company presentation at 3:30 PM ET on June 24th, followed by one-on-one meetings with investors on June 25th. iAccess Alpha hosts virtual investor conferences featuring companies recommended by investors. These two-day events include webcast presentations on day one, followed by one-on-one meetings between company management teams and pre-qualified investors on day two. For more information about the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Summer Investment Conference 2025, or to register and schedule a one-on-one meeting with Envela, please visit the conference website at The live webcast of Envela's presentation will be available at and a replay will be accessible afterward. About Envela® Envela Corporation ( NYSE American/NYSE Texas:ELA ) is a leading provider of re-commerce services, driving innovation at the forefront of the circular economy. We Reuse, Recycle, and Reimagine to offer consumers buying alternatives, contribute to environmental sustainability, and maximize product value. As a sustainability-focused company, Envela extends product lifecycles to minimize resource consumption and carbon emissions. By focusing on these core strengths, we create exceptional value and strive to leave the world better than we found it. The company operates through two primary business segments: Consumer and Commercial. The Consumer segment includes retail stores and online platforms offering premium brands and luxury hard assets, while the Commercial segment delivers tailored re-commerce solutions to clients, including many Fortune 500 companies. To learn more about our innovative approach, visit Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements that may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995's safe harbor provisions, including statements regarding future events and developments; potential expansions, purchases and acquisitions; potential future success of business lines and strategies; and management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates and projections relating to the future. Words such as 'believes,' 'anticipates,' 'plans,' 'may,' 'intends,' 'will,' 'should,' 'expects' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management's then-current views and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks described more fully in Item 1A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in the Company's filings with the SEC. By making these statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release except as required by law. Investor Relations Contact [email protected] 972-587-4030 SOURCE: Envela Corporation press release
Associated Press
20 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Murphy Business Sales Richardson Franchise Celebrates 17 Years of Helping Businesses Sell Smarter
06/20/2025, Richardson, Texas // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Murphy Business Sales franchise of Richardson, Texas, led by Douglas R. Batts Sr., MBA, celebrates its milestone of 17 years in navigating uncharted waters, especially for small business owners unsure of their company's true value. This brokerage firm has helped sellers make it to safe harbor, backed by data, integrity, and deep industry knowledge. Douglas R. Batts Sr., MBA Batts acquired the Richardson franchise operations in 2008. Since then, his franchise has grown into one of the top-performing offices in the Murphy network, which spans over 175 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. With more than $40 million in closed transaction value under his belt and a reputation for ethical, full-service brokerage, Batts is known for helping business owners sell with confidence and realism. 'Most companies don't sell because they're overpriced or have bad financials,' Batts explains. 'We simply won't take a business to market unless we believe it's priced fairly and the books are solid. It's a standard all Murphy Business Sales brokers take seriously, and that credibility is what sets us apart with both buyers and lenders.' The broker agency offers a true end-to-end process: assessing business readiness, conducting valuations, crafting marketing materials, qualifying buyers, arranging financing, and managing the closing and escrow process. Batts is licensed in Texas, Florida, South Dakota, and soon Georgia. While he serves clients within his own territory, he notes that the Murphy Business Sales network allows for co-brokered deals across the U.S. and Canada. What makes his operation stand out in the market, Batts says, is how his team brings the Murphy Business Sales' values to life through a consistent commitment to thorough, professional, and ethical transactions. He states, 'We work with sellers to prepare them before ever going to market. That includes cleaning up financials, managing expectations, and ensuring everything is in place to attract serious buyers.' One of the biggest hurdles Batts encounters is the unrealistic expectations some sellers have about their business's value. 'I've had clients tell me their business is worth a million dollars because that's what they need to retire,' Batts says. 'But that's not how valuations work.' Instead, his team gathers financial statements, tax returns, and profit and loss statements to analyze a business's true earnings performance. They use industry-standard metrics, such as seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) or recasted EBITDA, and compare those against similar transactions to arrive at a fair market value. The result is a credible, data-supported valuation that has greater credibility with buyers, lenders, and attorneys. This rigorous valuation process is delivered through a Broker's Opinion of Value or Certified Valuation Reports, depending on the client's needs. Murphy Business also partners with preferred SBA lenders to pre-qualify businesses, enhancing buyer confidence and reducing time to close. Once a business is ready for market, Murphy Business Sales taps into its vast network of brokers and hundreds of qualified buyers. Listings are shared confidentially across a proprietary MLS-style platform and up to a dozen external websites, with each listing accompanied by a detailed Confidential Information Memorandum. 'We know how to reach serious buyers,' Batts confirms. 'We also know how to protect confidentiality throughout the process, which is critical for business continuity.' Batts and his team often serve as intermediaries, working between buyer and seller to structure deals, refer legal professionals, and facilitate financing. They also stay involved all the way to escrow, ensuring that asset transfers go smoothly. The Richardson-based franchise's success has earned Batts awards within the Murphy network. But Batts attributes his success less to accolades and more to the foundational principles of trust, ethics, results, and transparency. 'Everything starts with credibility,' he says. 'If you're trying to sell a business and the price isn't defensible, or the financials are not in order, you're going to struggle. We make sure our clients are positioned for success before we ever take them to market.' For business owners considering a sale in the future, Batts offers clear advice: get the books in order, get a professional valuation, and don't try to go at it alone. 'Selling your business is probably one of the most important financial decisions of your life,' he says. 'You need someone who knows how to defend a valuation, who has the buyer network, and who understands how to navigate negotiations. That's what we do.' And with a track record spanning more than 17 years, Batts' Murphy Business Sales franchise is proving that experience, ethics, and data-driven strategy can create a winning formula, no matter where a business calls home. Media Contact Email: Name: Douglas R. Batts Sr. MBA Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> Murphy Business Sales Richardson Franchise Celebrates 17 Years of Helping Businesses Sell Smarter
