The Oklahoma House has defeated legislation to extend a tax credit program for the film industry.
House members voted 48-43 for the measure Monday — three short of the 51 votes needed to pass in the 101-member House. Its author, Republican Rep. Todd Thomsen of Ada, kept the measure alive by announcing a plan to reconsider the vote.
The state provides rebates to filmmakers amounting to $1 for every $3 dollars they spend on movie productions in the state, up to a total of $5 million. The program is scheduled to expire on July 1. Thomsen's bill would extend the credit by 10 years to 2024.
Opponents say the program is a wasteful use of tax dollars.
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