The Texas film industry is hoping to push a major tax incentive package through the Legislature.

Why it matters: Films and TV shows set in Texas are often filmed in other states because of more generous tax credits.

• For example, Taylor Sheridan's breakout neo-Western, "Hell or High Water," was filmed in New Mexico despite being set in Texas.

Driving the news: The industry appears on the verge of winning its long-sought tax incentives after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled his support, saying he wants to make Texas the "film capital of the world."

• Media for Texas hosted "The Texas Film Experience" last week at SXSW with crew members from "Yellowstone," "Spy Kids" and "Dazed and Confused."

Catch up quick: Last legislative session, the Legislature plumped up its Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program from $45 million in 2022-23 to $200 million in the current two-year budget.

• Those are cash grants, and now the Texas film industry wants something more long-lasting — specifically, tax credits.

Between the lines: This time could be different because of Patrick's endorsement.

• Patrick appeared at a premiere last August at the Bob Bullock Theater of "Reagan," a biopic about the president starring Dennis Quaid.
• Patrick and Taylor Sheridan, creator of "Landman," have also been forging a relationship for at least a couple years, dining out together in 2023.

The intrigue: Texans Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Renée Zellweger and Quaid collaborated on a charming "True Detective"-inspired video to appeal to lawmakers to pass an incentives package.

• "You don't like what Hollywood's been dishing? Let's take over the kitchen," McConaughey says.

What they're saying: "We are not trying to make Texas the next Hollywood — we don't like Hollywood," Patrick posted on X. "We want to export Texas values."

Fort Worth native Taylor Sheridan will film a second season of his hit TV show "Landman" in Cowtown.

Why it matters: Sheridan is the Texas film industry.

The latest: "Landman" was one of the 10 most streamed original series in the last quarter of 2024. The premiere had 35 million global streaming viewers, per Paramount+.

• The show, starring Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore, is currently casting college students for next season.

The big picture: Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker wants to boost filming locally, saying the industry has had a $700 million economic impact on the city since 2015.

• Sheridan films many scenes in his shows around Fort Worth. Filming "1883" led to 13,325 booked hotel nights in the city.

State of play: Sheridan grew up in Fort Worth, where he was both a theater kid at Paschal High and a ranch hand on the weekends.

• "Everybody wants to be a cowboy," Sheridan told Texas Highways in 2021. "It's a romantic way of life. But it's rarely portrayed realistically in Westerns. We want to show the real cowboy life."

The intrigue: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the state increased its film incentives after a 2023 dinner meeting he had with Sheridan.

• "Based on the new incentives, Taylor moved virtually all his productions to Texas. Small towns in Texas suddenly had movie crews and millions of dollars spent in their economy," Patrick posted on X.

Follow the money: The current Texas Senate budget proposal includes nearly $500 million to revamp the Texas film incentive program.

• It consists of $48 million in grants for small films and TV commercials, and up to $450 million in new tax credits.
• The proposed House budget includes $68 million for state film agencies and film and television incentives.

Dallas Love Field's Mavericks artwork used to bring us comfort and joy. Now, it's flat-out disheartening.

Why it matters: Given the Mavs' current sorry state, seeing massive player pics right after a long day of air travel is like running into your ex who once took you ring shopping and then broke up with you.

State of sorrow: ESPN reports nine Mavericks players are injured right now, including Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II.

• The NBA requires teams to have at least eight active players for each game. The 33-36 Mavericks could be at risk of forfeiting games if the injuries continue.
• Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are thriving with Luka Dončić.

Context: Love Field visitors will find massive images of Mavericks players by the parking garages, a basketball-themed lounge for families and blue signs saying, "Welcome to Dallas," and, "We 🩶 you, Mavs fans," on the way to baggage claim.

• Love Field's partnership with the Mavericks is about seven years old, an airport spokesperson tells Axios. The team makes all decisions about the airport displays.

Fun fact: Fourteen of the 17 players on the Mavericks roster have been with the team less than three years.

🩺 Around 320 measles cases have been reported in West Texas and New Mexico. (NBC5)

💰 Gov. Greg Abbott requested a disaster declaration for Dallas County and nearby areas impacted by storms and strong winds earlier this month. (KERA)

🤠 "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan is going to host a country music festival later this year at his Weatherford ranch. (WFAA)

Ah, spring. The season of tornado watches, bluebonnets, warm weather and more daylight.

Driving the news: The Dallas area will gain around 2 hours and 10 minutes of daylight between tomorrow's spring equinox and the summer solstice on June 20, per NOAA's solar calculator.

How it works: Here in the Northern Hemisphere, northern latitudes gain more daylight in the spring compared to areas closer to the equator as the Sun's path through the sky shifts northward.

• The summer solstice marks the longest day — and the start of the Sun's southward retreat, with shorter days to follow.