ATLANTA – State Representative Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody), Chairman of the House Economic Development Subcommittee on Film and Entertainment, recently named Rep. Paulette Rakestraw (R-Powder Springs) as Vice Chairman of the subcommittee. This subcommittee was created to consider legislation that will continue to promote the state of Georgia as a destination location for film, video gaming and digital entertainment projects.
“It is an honor to be selected for this leadership position within the House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee on Film & Entertainment,” said Rep. Rakestraw. “The film and entertainment industry in our state has grown substantially over the last few years, and its economic impact on our state has not gone unnoticed. I look forward to working with Chairman Taylor and the other subcommittee members as we continue to promote Georgia as a film and entertainment friendly state.”
During fiscal year 2016, feature film and television productions in Georgia generated an economic impact of more than $7 billion, with the 245 feature film and television productions shot in Georgia representing $2.02 billion in direct spending in the state. As a result, Georgia now ranks number three in TV and movie productions, just behind California and New York.
Subcommittee members include: Representatives Josh Bonner (R-Peachtree City), Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville), Jon Burns (R-Newington), Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), J. Craig Gordon (D-Savannah), Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert), Michele Henson (D-Stone Mountain), Pete Marin (D-Duluth), Randy Nix (R-LaGrange), Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro), Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville), Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland), Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), and Al Williams (D-Midway).
Representative Paulette Rakestraw represents the citizens of District 19, which includes portions of Paulding County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Science & Technology Committee and as Secretary on the Juvenile Justice and Economic Development & Tourism committees. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and the Regulated Industries, Small Business Development, and Special Rules committees.
###