Subsidies and tax incentives aimed at keeping film and television production from relocating out of state have once again been prioritized ahead of funding for environmental cleanup efforts, a choice that reflects a familiar and misguided ordering of public priorities.

The economic case for production incentives is weaker than proponents often claim, with a substantial body of research questioning whether the jobs and revenue generated justify the public cost per job created.

Lawmakers should be willing to make the harder, less photogenic choice: directing scarce public dollars toward cleanup obligations that protect public health now. This is an opinion piece and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily Bear News 365’s editorial position.