Most of the argument over the “Hollywood Handout” bill in November’s special session was over “transferable tax credits” and how it would affect Nevada’s overall budget.
Plus the concern over bringing Hollywood’s liberal “woke” culture to Nevada with all the Californians who would move here. The problem’s bad enough already, right?
But the real concern should be over the idea of building a new “film studio” in the first place in light of emerging AI technology.
For example, take a look at this titillating (pun intended) film clip posted by filmmaker Charles Curran that was AI produced:
If you think AI film can’t be art then explain this. pic.twitter.com/vG5VUMGJjd
— Charles Curran (@charliebcurran) March 19, 2026
AI-generated films aren’t coming. They’re already here.
So the Hollywood Handout would likely be a bottomless pit of tax dollars being flushed down the drain. Everybody sees it. Everybody knows it.
And yet a passel of REPUBLICAN legislators still voted for the give-away anyway.
They include Assemblymembers Brian Hibbets, Heidi Kasama, and Jason Patchett, as well as Senators John Steinbeck and Lisa Krasner.
Make no mistake. The handout is likely to come back again next session.
And yes, it’s sorta gonna to be on the ballot in November. Kasama, Patchett, and Krasner face credible primary opponents.
In addition, pro-handout Republicans are playing games with the upcoming legislative campaigns.
Steinbeck is angling to replace Minority Leader Robin Titus, a staunch opponent of the Hollywood Handout.
As such, he’s backing pro-handout Republican Laz Chavez in the Senate District 8 primary against anti-handout conservative George Harris.
And Hibbetts is actively campaigning against certain GOP candidates in the upcoming primary who oppose the Hollywood Handout – particularly against Assembly District 41 candidate Kelly Chapman.
But here’s the really weird dynamic…
Assembly Minority Leader Greg Hafen is a total disaster as leader even though he voted against the Hollywood Handout.
Assemblywoman Lisa Cole – who voted for the film tax credit is said to be angling to replace Hafen – is supporting and campaigning for some GOP candidates, such as Chapman, who oppose it.
Cole is focusing on electing more Republicans to the Legislature. Hafen is focusing on electing more Republicans who will be loyal to him in the Assembly GOP caucus leadership fight.
Cole is looking out for the entire party and the state. Hafen is looking out for his own self-interest in remaining caucus “leader.”
The contrast couldn’t be clearer.
I’ll have more on this as the races continue to heat up in the coming weeks.
But know that there’s more on the line in the upcoming primaries than who controls the Legislature. The sub-fight is over who ends up controlling the two GOP legislative caucuses.
And THAT will go a long way toward determining whether the Hollywood Handout zombie rises from the dead again next year.