Posted on 03/22/2014 4:14:07 PM PDT by rightwingerpatriot
It appears that Hollywood is in a lot of trouble, not to mention California as a whole. California offers a paltry amount of tax incentives for filming within the state as opposed to most other states or even a number of countries. In fact, California's tax incentive program for the film and television industry currently stands at $100 million annually while New York's program is at $420 million. Some states don't even have a cap. What this means is that Hollywood is fleeing Tinsletown to film out of state, which is costing California billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs. It's been estimated that the state lost $9.6 billion in economic output and 47,600 jobs due to the film industry leaving the state. In 2013 alone, a full 75% of big budget motion pictures were filmed outside of California. The reason why? It's cheaper to film elsewhere.
I find it hysterical that Hollywood is begging the government of California to increase their tax incentives in order to keep films local. They actually acknowledge the fact that lower costs equals more production. Thus they ask for lower tax rates and breaks. The irony is that these are the same people who clamor for higher taxes and an expanding bloated government. Yet when it's their business being affected, they almost sound like a Tea Party activist but such rhetoric dies as soon as they get their corporate welfare. Stooges like Harvey Weinstein are lobbying for more tax breaks while supporting the agenda of President Obama and other progressive liberals.
The fact is that lower taxes helps all businesses. I find the Hollywood crowd to be utter hypocrites as they ask for taxpayer-funded handouts but decry lower taxes for everybody else. Is making a teen slasher flick somehow more noble than opening a veterinary clinic or a clothing store? The answer is no. It sickens me to see these blowhards railing against the evils of capitalism and identifying with Occupy Wall Street but take advantage of our system to become fabulously wealthy. Their support of higher taxes for everybody but them denies the rest of us the opportunity to rise up through hard work and entrepreneurship.
Another point of contention that I have is the tax incentives themselves. I'm against all kinds of corporate welfare. Money given to Hollywood is money taken away from other projects that need it far more, such as hospitals and roads. Hollywood spins the belief that the tax incentives generate extra income for the local state, but there have been plenty of independent studies that have shown that the extra revenue generated does not equate to the tax dollars given. What's even more despicable is that these are millionaires asking up peasants for money for them to work. Yesterday, Kevin Spacey met with Maryland lawmakers to lobby for more funds to keep filming House of Cards within the state. Maryland's incentive cap is being raised to $18.5 million if the votes go through. Sounds paltry, right? Well, Kevin Spacey alone has a net worth of $50 million. If he's so gung-ho on the show, why doesn't he invest some of his own cash into the project? Instead, we have Hollywood stealing dollars out of our pocket at the same time they call us ignorant, racist rubes for protesting against Obama and his insane spending.
Ping.
Wait....uber-liberal moron entertainment people are being allowed outside the Liberal Quarantine Containment Zone? Are we sure this is a good idea? Stupidity might be catching!
> Yesterday, Kevin Spacey met with Maryland lawmakers to lobby for more funds to keep filming House of Cards within the state. Maryland’s incentive cap is being raised to $18.5 million if the votes go through. Sounds paltry, right? Well, Kevin Spacey alone has a net worth of $50 million. If he’s so gung-ho on the show, why doesn’t he invest some of his own cash into the project? Instead, we have Hollywood stealing dollars out of our pocket at the same time they call us ignorant, racist rubes for protesting against Obama and his insane spending.
Thanks rightwingerpatriot.
How about we stop subsidies to special interest groups who can afford expensive lobbyists?
This is one of the many things wrong with the tax code. It favors some at the expense of the middle class.
Hollywood needs to pay their fair share.
“Incentives” for Hollywood have been nothing but a loser for the people here in Michigan.
Just another unionized industry pricing itself out of business.
Tax breaks are great but they need to be across the board.
Kevin Spacey was in Annapolis Maryland on Friday seeing about tax credits for House of Cards. I am sure the show is going to get them.
lol. I mentioned House of Cards too. The problem with Spacey paying the 18.5 million is that they are probably at least 5 more seasons until the show is done. It would wipe him out of funds for sure.
Hollywood Liberals “Tax breaks for me, but not for thee.”
Last night, 3 shows were filming on Main St: NCIS, CSI and a pilot episode. One of the producers of those 3 is a good friend of mine (rightwing too) and he told me those “union bastards “ (teamsters) told him if they don’t shoot in L.A., they’ll make his life miserable.
That’s why I deal with mostly reality TV crap. You already take out the SAG and WGA equation but those a-holes with the teamsters is like a venereal disease that wont go away.
We tried relocating to 2 of our shows to Dallas but boy, dealing with the city govt there is worse than L.A.
People really respond to tax policy ???
Well, whodda thought that ??? Why, I wonder if any of the political types have heard this outrageous notion?
What was that line in Star Wars about Mos Eisley Spaceport.
Here was an actual exchange:
US: “The show will generate $250, 000 a week for the local economy, with a weekly budget of the same amount in partnership with Universal..”
IDIOT DEM city administrator: “Well, that’s fine and dandy. But what’s in it for us and our unions. You Hollywood boys should pay us upfront of $1 million.”
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