Wisconsin film industry backers applaud deal
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — It may not be time to yell "Cut!" for Wisconsin's film incentives just yet.
The Legislature's budget committee voted unanimously Thursday night to save the program Gov. Jim Doyle wants to scrap. The committee agreed to change Doyle's budget to cap the incentives at $3 million per year in the next two years. Other changes attempt to reward creating jobs in Wisconsin and stimulate film projects in economically depressed areas.
Dave Fantle, spokesman for VISIT Milwaukee, called the committee's unanimous support a "home run."
"When you have a 16-0 vote in this political environment, to say it was a huge victory would be an understatement," he said. All 12 Democrats and four Republicans on the budget committee voted for the plan.
It must pass the Legislature and be signed by Doyle before it becomes law.
Doyle's spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner did not immediately return a message Friday asking whether the governor would support the changes. Doyle has argued that the current program, which began last year and has no limits on tax refunds, is too costly given the state's $5 billion budget shortfall.
With the changes, the program would be capped at $3 million for two years, but there would be no lid after that.
May 2, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
If I may quote rexkramer, "Typical liberals". Hmm! Profiling? Yes, it is a "typical" rexkramer idiotic statement that solves nothing. What is your intelligent solution?
May 2, 2009 at 4:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Yeah, let's hand out some more tax dollars to those poor film companies and underpaid Hollywood stars.
Too bad we won't be able to afford the tickets (much less the popcorn) to see WI on the big screens in the theaters!
May 1, 2009 at 3:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
A tax credit to attract business is something both parties tend to support. One of the credit's largest supporters is a Republican state senator.
http://wistechnology.com/articles/6018/
May 1, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Typical liberals, can't comprehend the meaning of cutting taxes for all of us who live and work in this tax hell, but when it's for people like hollywood elites then they're all for it.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.