Season 3 of Netflix’s House Of Cards is holding off on beginning production until mid-June pending the outcome of two separate bills in the Maryland Legislature that would ensure another season of lucrative state tax breaks for the political drama, which just launched its Season 2 on the streaming service last week. The Emmy-nominated series set in Washington, D.C., was officially renewed for a third season earlier this month. Series producer Media Rights Capital, which planned to start shooting Season 3 in early spring, received more than $11 million in Maryland tax credits for Season 1 and Season 2’s incentives could reach $15 million, the Wall Street Journal reported today. We hear that MRC is seeking a tax credit for Season 3 in line with Season 2’s $15 million, which as of now is impossible as Maryland’s current cap is $7.5 million. The two bills, which are languishing in committee, would raise the ceiling to $11 million or $18.5 million. Deadline has confirmed that MRC has sent a letter to several politicians, including Gov. Martin O’Malley, regarding the bills. The letter (read it in full below) pulls no punches in saying that the incentives must be approved if the production were to stay in the state. “In the event sufficient incentives do not become available, we will have to break down our stage, sets and offices and set up in another state,” said the letter, signed by Charlie Goldstein, MRC’s SVP Television Production. The issue has been stirring a heated debate in the Maryland Legislature. “Is it possible that they would just leave after we gave them $31 million?” Del. C. William Frick, D-Montgomery, said during a contentious hearing last week, according to WSJ.

According to the Maryland Film Office, the 130 days of production on Season 1 and Season 2 of House Of Cards helped contribute to film and TV’s estimated $197.2 million in economic impact in fiscal year 2013. Season 1 “resulted in the local hiring of 2,193 Maryland crew, cast and extras, and the production purchased or rented goods or services from 1,814 Maryland vendors,” the office says on its website. Maryland also hosts the production of HBO’s White House comedy Veep.

Here’s the full letter from MRC: