from KOMO News.Com, by John Discepolo

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The movie "Battle in Seattle"was based in Seattle, but shot in Vancouver, B.C.

"Twilight" was based in Forks, but shot in Oregon.

And state lawmakers say the trend must stop.

A state Senate bill proposed in Olympia encouarges to encourage television and movies companies to come to Washington state by offering them a bigger tax break.

"We need to do a lot more," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, who sponsored the bill. "Other states are taking advantage of the income, the revenue that comes into their state. We're not able to do that at this point."

Uder the bill, "Washington's motion picture competitiveness" would extend a program of tax credits to film and television makers who base their productions here.

The current program offers up to $3.5 million in business and occupation tax credits. The new bill would extend the program and double the amount of tax credits to $7 million a year, eventually tripling the amount by 2017.

"Bringing in more substantial work, especially series television -- that would provide a wealth of jobs to washington residents at higher rates of pay, pension and health," said Abby Dylan of Washington Filmworks.

But with the state facing a $4.6 billion budget shortfall, these tax breaks will be scrutinized.

The cost, according to the state Office of Financial Management, would be $55.6 million over the next six years.

"Up until now we've had a modest incentive program which has allowed us to have smaller films be shot here," said Carl spence of Seattle International Film Festival. "But to really get the biggest productions - to get sort of the big bang - and really make the difference,. we need this new initiative to pass."

Back in 2009, the state increased the film tax incentive from 20 to 30 percent. But that's only half of what's offered by British Columbia.