New Jersey tried luring Netflix, Disney, and other Hollywood studios after Georgia passed its controversial voting law

• New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent a letter to Hollywood studios like Netflix and Disney on Thursday.
• Murphy wanted to lure studios to the state after backlash to Georgia's new voting law.
• Some media companies like ViacomCBS and AT&T have issued statements opposing the controversial bill.

New Jersey wants to be in business with Hollywood.

The state's governor, Phil Murphy, sent a letter to major Hollywood studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Netflix on Thursday in an attempt to lure business away from Georgia after it passed a controversial voting law, according to several outlets that obtained the letter, including The Wall Street Journal and The Hollywood Reporter.

Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, signed the sweeping elections bill into law on March 25, which has been met with backlash from Democrats and civil-rights groups who say it targets Black communities. Among the most controversial aspects of the bill are changes to absentee voting and banning volunteers from delivering food, water, and other items to people waiting in long voting lines.

Murphy wrote that "restricting the right to vote is more than just wrong, it's un-American" and that the "vast majority" see the law as "an attack on people of color by a Governor and Legislature willing to do anything to stay in power."

Georgia offers attractive tax incentives that have made it a major Hollywood production hub. Murphy emphasized New Jersey's 30% tax credit on film projects and a 40% subsidy for any brick-and-mortar studio development, according to THR.

"Our new $14.5 billion economic incentive package makes the Garden State just as competitive as Georgia to attract film and television production businesses," Murphy wrote. "One thing is clear: when it comes to social policies, corporate responsibility, and - not to be overlooked - economic opportunity, New Jersey is now a top contender for your business."

Some media companies have issued statements condemning the Georgia law, but have not called for a boycott of the state.

ViacomCBS, the parent company of Paramount Pictures, was the first major media company to speak out: "We unequivocally believe in the importance of all Americans having an equal right to vote and oppose the recent Georgia voting rights law or any effort that impedes the ability to exercise this vital constitutional right."

Comcast, NBCUniversal's corporate parent, and AT&T, which owns WarnerMedia, Warner Bros., and Atlanta-based CNN, followed with their own statements.

Comcast said: "Voting is fundamental to our democracy. We believe that all Americans should enjoy equitable access to secure elections and we have long supported and promoted voter education, registration and participation campaigns across the country to achieve that goal. Efforts to limit or impede access to this vital constitutional right for any citizen are not consistent with our values."

AT&T's CEO John Stankey said in part: "We believe the right to vote is sacred and we support voting laws that make it easier for more Americans to vote in free, fair and secure elections. We understand that election laws are complicated, not our company's expertise and ultimately the responsibility of elected officials. But, as a company, we have a responsibility to engage."

Disney and Netflix have not released statements regarding the Georgia voting law.