Another gift from Canadian Jenny.
Of course she sprinted for Berkeley CA when she left office.
Michigan taxpayers... All 38 of them?
>>New Transformers Flick Costs Each Michigan Taxpayer $1.36<<
It was a class action suit? ;)
Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize private businesses.
I’m certain the taxes collected in relation to the movie production far exceeds any subsidy. Since I don’t know the exact nature of the incentive I can’t say too much beyond that. It would make more sense to have it tied to the taxes paid but then again I’m more supportive of generic incentitives and tax breaks than specific industry breaks. Regardless the people who the studios pay pay taxes, and throughout the whole process taxes are paid so it is a bit misleading acting as though citizens deserve a cut as if the state is providing a check cut to fund some kind of worthless non profitable tax free film.
Did they charge the Optimus Prime Rate?
How many hotel nights did the Transformers production book while filming there? How many restaurant meals? That is the point of those kind of credits, it’s a lure. Film crews are like any other travelers, they spend money while they’re in town, they spend money just being in town. And that spending gets taxed.
Attention, all the states tripping over each other to see who can give the most tax money to TV and movie producers: you’re getting ripped off, and in turn you’re stealing from your taxpayers.
Regardless of what they tell you, film crews bring their own labor — they aren’t going to hire and train your kid.
At most, a few temporary tourist industry jobs are created in local restaurants and motels. If you want to support them, you’d be better off just cutting them a check.
So why the tax money giveaway? Don’t be saps!
It’s certainly not the theater’s fault that the production company receives an incentive, or even the film producer’s fault for taking advantage of credits authorized by state law. This policy is nonetheless unfair to taxpayers whose own expenses are not looked upon so favorably by Lansing. Asking for a $1.36 discount at the ticket counter ought to be the least Michigan movie watchers should do. Another option is to make it clear to state legislators that the Michigan Film Incentive should be eliminated.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/15347