Dem. Governor Secures Tax Breaks to Keep 'House of Cards' in State

Dem. Governor Secures Tax Breaks to Keep 'House of Cards' in State

For a moment it looked like the state of Maryland would lose out on seeing the Netflix smash House of Cards being shot within its borders. And, as a result, a good number of jobs would flee the state as well.

The series, starring Kevin Spacey as a ruthless politician, balked when Maryland reduced the tax incentives given to produce the show’s first two seasons.

Enter Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a proud progressive who apparently pushed through a deal to secure a new season of Cards will be shot in state after all.

The show will receive a total of $11.5 million this year — less than the $15 million the production company had been reportedly expecting but apparently enough to stay in the state.

O’Malley sees the wisdom of tax incentives bolstering the local economy when it comes to a show about political chicanery at its highest levels.

Spoiler alert: We’re going to keep the 3,700 jobs and more than $100 million of economic activity and investment that ‘House of Cards’ generates right here in Maryland,” O’Malley said in a statement. “Media Rights Capital has been a great supporter of the people and entertainment community in Maryland, and we couldn’t be happier to continue our partnership.”

Asif Satchu, co-CEO of MRC, said that the show “is the gift that keeps on giving, having injected hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy, while also helping to provide thousands of jobs to our Maryland community.

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