Supporters of a program offering rebates to attract filmmakers to Oklahoma say they'll try next year to persuade lawmakers to renew the program. The Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program that currently offers a 35 percent rebate on all production expenses made in the state expires July 1, 2014.
A proposal to extend it by 10 years and increase state appropriations from $5 million to $8 million failed in the Legislature in May. Some lawmakers say the money would be better used for education, health care, and pay raises for state troopers and prison guards. Oklahoma Film and Music Office Director Jill Simpson told The Oklahoman that the state receives $3 for every $1 paid in rebates and that it helped attract movies such as ``August: Osage County'' starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts to the state.
