Here it comes again. As a service disabled, Iraq War vet, I was – and still am – pissed about the idea that the government was trying to make Veterans have their insurance companies pay for VA health-care. The bill was dropped but the fact that they tried to pull that crap is unforgivable. I want to know whose bright idea that was in the first place so I can punch him, or her, in the face. Add this to President Obama’s comments on “responsible spending” for the military and his non-attendance at the Medal of Honor Ball after the inauguration, and I am not feeling to good about things. No president in 50 years has missed the chance to attend the Medal of Honor Ball in order to thank these heroes! Commander in Chief?
As a civilian in NJ/NY, the state and local governments that fail to manage their budgets aren’t making me feel any better. What’s worse is that they are overspending and punishing the people for their own gluttony. NJ Gov. Corzine decided that since he was running out of money, now would be a great time to increase the tolls. The average toll costs practically doubled. The NY knuckleheads thought it would help to lay off a bunch of people and then raise the cost of the subways, trains, and buses (known locally as the ‘doomsday budget’). They are even talking about increasing the taxes on various goods and services. Cut jobs and then raise the cost of living-that’s pure genius…if your goal is to increase the homeless population and the crime rate. These guys must eat stupid for breakfast. So much for “looking out for main-street.”
As a filmmaker, now I have to deal with studios and private investors not having the capital to make new films and television programs. Let’s not forget to include the “new media” gang who is on the same downward slope. In addition to a sliding economy putting a lot of people out of work, the one thing that could help — the tax credit — is in jeopardy. Politicians from both camps are screwing with the tax credit and messing things up for all of us. Many states are either lowering the percentage of their credit or shrinking the cap. Some states are contemplating getting rid of the credit all together. If anything, they should be raising the tax credit limits in order to boost production, thereby generating jobs and revenue. Here are a few simple stats that prove the effectiveness of the tax credit:
1. Last year New York’s movie and film industry created 7,031 jobs directly and another 12,481 indirectly. This includes dry cleaners, restaurant workers, lumberyards, and hotel workers.
2. In 2008, the Department of Revenue reported that Massachusetts garnered $359 million in completely new direct spending as a result of the tax credit.
3. In Pennsylvania, where I shoot regularly, twenty-four productions that received the film tax credits have put 2,600 people to work and pumped $186.4 million into local economies – in addition to $12.2 million in new state revenue.
4. Forty-three states now have tax credits for the film industry. Across the board, each tax credit dollar generates a return of at least $1.50 (150%) – a proven investment. The Louisiana tax credit has generated over $2 billion in revenue for the state since 2002. Not bad.
With budget issues and deficits growing across America, politicians are scrambling to cut costs and are quite literally “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Decreasing or eliminating the tax credit will only put more people on unemployment and government assistance, which will effectively strain the government’s budget even further. It’s a no-brainer. We have two options:
1. Contact your State governments and let them know what you think. Many local film communities, like Philly, are gathering signatures and holding events to pressure politicians to pull their heads out of their asses. Help make our collective voice be heard.
2. Find out who in your state is messing with the tax credit and hunt them down. Get them in their office, on the streets, in a restaurant, whereever they may be, and punch them in the throat. Believe me, this is one message that they will never forget. You may be better off giving them a piece of your mind and leaving the throat punching to me.
This is not a Republican or Democrat thing because both sides are at fault and the production guy suffers for it. Bottom line is, the production community is in the hurt-locker and the last thing we need is less work.
Semper Fi,
Iggy
How to beat the recession: Serve our country, go to war, and use your combat deployment money to make a documentary. Check it out: www.frozenchosin.com
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