North Carolina Kills Film Incentives: Which States Benefit?
Shows including 'Under the Dome' and 'Sleepy Hollow' may relocate future production
The North Carolina legislature did approve another incentive package that kicks in Jan. 1, 2015, when the current program that offers up to 25 percent incentives ends. The new plan provides grants to movie or TV productions of up to $5 million; but puts a cap on the annual expenditure of $10 million — less than what the state paid to Iron Man 3 in 2012. That makes the program nearly useless.“It’s disappointing,” the MPAA said in a statement Thursday, “that the new grant program included in the budget agreement will prevent North Carolina from remaining competitive in attracting this prominent source of in-state economic activity.”
In North Carolina, the first term Gov. Pat McCrory and the Speaker of the House Thom Tillis — a candidate for Senate —had both been vocal backers of film incentives until recently. However, as the state has seen a number of conservatives, Libertarian and Tea Party candidates elected, they have shifted to either a neutral position (the governor) or opposition (the speaker).
One big reason the North Carolina incentive legislation failed is because the Koch Brothers-backed nonprofit Americans for Prosperity bought radio commercials as the debate that slammed film incentives was going on. The ads were part of a larger campaign to eliminate a range of state-funded development programs.
"The money coming in from the outside has hurt the North Carolina programs for business development," said Rep. Susi Hamilton, a Democrat who fought to retain incentives. "The Americans for Prosperity spent a lot of money to try and end the program and unfortunately they have the ear or our leadership and appear to be successful."Hamilton, however, doesn’t believe this means other Southern states will follow suit. In fact, she sees the opposite happening as North Carolina stands to lose more than 4,000 good jobs.
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Unfortunately, this is a sad day for many of my artist and technician friends, not to mention the caterers I know who provide food service.
These bastards are determined to rape and destroy our great state. To them I say:
Your day is coming, fools. There are many thoughtful and equally determined individuals in this state and although they aren't billionaires they are resilient. Every dog has his day.
Love, Peace and the Righteous Fight!
~ Lmsp
