Here come the tax cuts

Today's House calendar includes a litany of tax relief bills from Revenue & Tax. It's a sure sign that (a) we've budgeted conservatively enough to provide for some meaningful tax relief and (b) we're coming down the home stretch of the session. There aren't many states in a position to cut any taxes in this climate.

Among them:
SB88: Reduction in the grocery tax
HB1624: Reduction in the sales tax on energy consumption for manufacturers
HB1953: Tax credit for rehabbing historic structures

We passed the Motion Picture Industry Development Act of 2009 out of the House on Friday, which provides for a 15% rebate on all Arkansas-based expenditures for motion picture production and digital products such as video games and other digital media. Quick: besides Sling Blade, name one movie produced here in the last 15 years. It's amazing what Shreveport has done by using a similar incentive enacted by Louisiana. You're as likely to run into producers and actors by going out to eat there as anywhere, and it's being done in a way to portray that state in a positive light while bringing economic activity to the area. Currently being produced in Shreveport is "Cool Dog" and "The Last Lullaby." Click here for a blog dedicated to Louisiana-produced movies.