There's No Business LIke Show Business

[livvy]

Perhaps our governor, just another GOP bully, should read this, although I suspect he already knows it's true.



February 26, 2011
There’s No Business Like Show Business By BILL RICHARDSON
Santa Fe, N.M.

IN recent years more than 40 states have offered incentives for movie and television production, recapturing “runaway” film projects that had left America for places like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe. This has not only brought significant economic benefits back to our shores, but also has secured America’s most important cultural export. After all, it is through film and television that many people from other countries come to know us — our values, our expressions and our freedom.

I’m proud that New Mexico has been a leader in this effort.

Unfortunately, a new campaign is under way to curtail or even eliminate these film and TV programs in many states, including my own. Some politicians call the incentives fiscally irresponsible, or giveaways to “liberal” Hollywood. The latter charge is mere propaganda. The former gets traction in states whose programs are not well designed. But when incentives are especially effective — as they are in New Mexico, Louisiana and Michigan — they can bring huge benefits to the state economy.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/opinion/27richardson.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha212

[handmade34]

1. rec

http://www.progressmichigan.org/blog/2011/02/the-myth-unravels-rick-snyder-is-just-another-politician.html

"But Daniels is right about Snyder. Whether you agree or disagree with him on ending film incentives, it’s hard not to escape the fact that our governor is, after all, just another politician. Yesterday, Snyder tried framing something the opposite of what it is in order to distract us from the ugly truth of what's really going on."

[SharonRB]

2. We've been mounting a huge effort to save the film industry

Please check out our site at http://www.rickswrong.com and our FB page at facebook.com/tellrick. Please sign up and pass the word around to everyone you know. We're also trying to raise money to get our ads on the air and could use whatever anyone can give.

The film industry affects every other industry, from hotels to restaurants to animal trainers to porta potty companies to printers to attorneys to architects and on and on and on. We must save this new industry from the grubby hands of Governor Nerd.