Help save the Michigan film tax incentives -- go to http://www.rickswrong.com

by: SharonRB

Wed Oct 27, 2010 at 17:43:23 PM EDT

The governor's race is tightening up (despite what the polls may be saying), but there's an issue that can help push Virg over the top. The Michigan film tax incentive is a bigger deal than some people may think. Many people don't know that Rick Snyder wants to phase it out even though it's creating jobs, making us feel good about ourselves and our state again and keeping our young people from moving out of the state.  

Michigan has the highest film industry tax incentive program in the country at 42%. We offered the highest incentive so we would get to the front of the pack quickly. According to Mitch, "For films and TV shows -- mobile operations that can set up fast -- cost is everything." All other things being almost equal, filmmakers will go where they can save the most money.

Within three years of passage of the program, film and TV activity has increased from less than $2 million to more than $600 million. Now, that's some fast growth!

And, the program has created jobs and launched a new industry in our state -- a state that has seen too many industries die. Not only direct film and TV jobs, but jobs in restaurants, hotels, rental car firms and other businesses that provide services and entertainment to those coming here to work. Hollywood stars have been spotted all around town -- at places like bars in Birmingham and sporting events in Detroit. They even Tweet about how much they love it here. It's great PR!

New studios are being built, which will lead to more jobs and more filming. New production houses are getting started, too. It will take time, but the law was written to give the program five years to get going. Rick Snyder doesn't think it's worked, but Virg thinks it deserves the full five years to develop as intended. He will not try to phase it out before it's had a chance to flourish.

Not only are jobs being created and businesses doing better, but this is an exciting industry, and it's making us feel good about ourselves and our state. New training courses have started, and in time more and more of the work will be performed by Michigan residents (there's a higher incentive if studios use Michigan people) instead of people being brought in from California or elsewhere.

Now you can to help. We need to raise $15,000 in the next few days in order to get our ad on the air before election day. Go to http://www.rickswrong.com to see the ad, read Mitch's column, learn about the films and TV shows that have been and are being filmed here, see testimony from people in the film industry who think we need to keep the incentives and donate to get the ad on the air next week.
Even if you can't donate, please spread the word to everyone you know that Snyder WILL abolish the credits (yes, "abolish them" is the phrase he used to the face of a cast member of Detroit 1-8-7).