LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The backers of the Summerlin Studio proposal have begun airing a new television ad, just days after a bad Economic Forum report cast doubt on the future of the project.
The 30-second spot touts the project's main selling point — jobs in a new industry that's not as susceptible to economic downturns as tourism and hospitality.
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"We're living in uncertain and unpredictable times," the ad says. "Career jobs are getting harder to find. But here in Nevada, there's hope: Summerlin Studios. The home of an entirely new Nevada industry."
The ad promises 17,000 jobs and billions for the economy. "Nevada needs jobs. Summerlin Studios is the answer."
Watch the full ad here:
Summerlin Studios, which would be authorized by Assembly Bill 238, is one of two film tax proposals pending in the 2025 Legislature. The other, Senate Bill 220, would also offer tax credits in conjunction with an education program at the Harry Reid Technology Park in partnership with UNLV.
Assemblywoman Sandra Jaureugi, D-Clark County, sponsor of AB 238, said in a recent interview that the studio project could help Nevada, especially if the economy slides into a recession.
"We need this more than ever, because this new industry will help put people to work," she said. "It will be a recession-proof industry."
But Alexander Marks, deputy executive director of the Nevada State Education Association, said his teachers' union opposes the plan because schools are badly underfunded in Nevada.
"We can't afford handouts to giant corporations right now," Marks said. "Nevada is short, as of last week, $300 million, while we rank 47th in the nation in per pupil funding with the largest class sizes. Even after the record increases last [legislative] session, Nevada still trails the national average by more than $4,000 per student."
The odds of either bill passing, however, dimmed somewhat last week when the state's Economic Forum predicted lawmakers would have $191 million less to spend than expected, as a result of flagging tax revenue.
The Summerlin Studios project would not cost any money in the current two-year budget cycle, but would commit the state to $1.6 billion over 15 years in future cycles.
But Jauregui said now is the perfect time to pass her bill, as a hedge against future economic uncertainty.
WATCH: | Steve Sebelius talks to Assembly Minority Leader Sandra Jauregui about bill that could lead to movie studio in Southern Nevada
Jauregui noted that the partnership between Warner Bros./Discovery, Sony Pictures and the Howard Hughes Corp. would have to build the studio and product content before it could access tax credits.
But Marks said he disbelieves the promises of big tax dollars coming from the stadium project, and said it would not help improve Nevada education.
"We've testified in opposition on this bill twice already and we've said over and over again that if you think a billion-dollar handout to studios will reduce our class sizes, retain educators of fix our infrastructures, you're already living in La La Land," he said.
Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed that President Donald Trump work with him on a massive $7.5 billion tax credit plan for Hollywood. That came after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday that foreign countries were luring film production away from the United States, constituting a "national security threat," and saying he's authorized a 100% tariff on movies "that are produced in Foreign Lands."
Newsom had already proposed in October boosting California's existing film tax program from $330 million per year to $750 million annually.
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