Film incentive may go away

[blue_onyx]

"Michigan's film tax credit that has lured Hollywood movie producers to the state may soon be no more.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports there are "very, very delicate" negotiations going on in Lansing over the credits.

Live on WWJ Monday morning, Skubick reported Republicans want to eliminate or downsize the tax credit. He says the incentive may be popular with the public, but the GOP says it's been a money-loser for Michigan. "


http://www.wwj.com/Republicans-Look-To-Cut-Film-Tax-Credit/4880299


The GOP also wants to get rid of the Earned Income Tax Credit. WTF!!! The Republicans are determined to drive the final nail into Michigan's coffin. I can't believe they are so determined to destroy Michigan just to win in 2010.

Granholm better be gearing up for a fight because I will be pretty angry if the film incentives are even reduced. I don't care in the government goes into a shut-down for 6 months...the film and earned income tax credits need to be protected. I'm one of those people who would love to work in the entertainment industry and the film incentives have made my desire to stay in the state even stronger. The film incentives are one of the bright spots for Michigan and if they go away, I may pack it in too and leave the state.

[SharonRB]

1. Getting rid of the film tax credit would be a huge mistake

Yes, they're getting a big credit, but they're also spending a lot of money while they're here filming. If the credit goes away, so does the industry and we'd lose far more than we'd gain. They're so shortsighted!

[blue_onyx]

2. We've probably already lost jobs

because of the talk of decreasing or ending the film incentives. Nancy Cassis has been obsessed with destroying the film incentives. "Production companies are already getting cold feet about shooting in Michigan" because of her push to limit the incentives.

Is the film incentive really losing money? Last year, they brought in 125 million but only cost 48 million. Yes it cost money but we got more money than we spent. Any sane person would realize that gaining 77 million is a good thing.

http://blog.mlive.com/cns/2009/03/senate_debates_lower_tax_credi.html


I wish they would look at Granholm's service tax idea. Many wrote it off without give it a thought. If we decreased the current sales tax to 3% (or 3.5-4% if necessary) and expanded it to services, we may be able to fix the budget deficit. It would also update our tax policies to fit an economy that is now more service-based. Depending on how much the expanded service tax brought it, we may be able to eliminate the business sur-charge, which would make the GOP happy.

What ever happens, the film incentives need to stay fully intact.

[1gobluedem]

3. I thought the Republicans were all about tax breaks

This must be because it was sponsored by Democrats. There's no other explanation.

[blue_onyx]

4. Only when it benefits them politically

Members of both parties supported the film incentives. I think once the incentives became really successful and popular with the public, the GOP had regrets. Republicans need Michigan to continue to do poorly to help them in the 2010 election. If things bottom out this year and start to improve next year, Granholm's ratings will go up, helping the likely Democratic nominee for governor John Cherry.