The taxpayers of California must be thrilled to pay more so the "film companies" can have a tax break. I suspect that through creative accounting the companies and performers aren't paying nearly what they should now.
How about a little union busting while we're at it? (Not that I really care much about the fate of Hollywood)
As I understand it, movie companies like to film in Canada, due to the relative weakness of the Canadian dollar. Toronto has been used in a number of films to simulate American cities.
No offense to our Canadian bretheren, but definitely Ontario and the entertainment industry seem ideally matched.
Regards, Ivan
Please, we really don't want them in Oregon.
Update (FR thread):
Runaway Film Bill Hits Snag - State lawmakers balk ...
Los Angeles Times, September 8, 2005:
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's script to stem runaway film production in California with as much as $100 million in annual tax breaks is getting panned at the Capitol.The bill by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles), which the governor made a top priority, was on the legislative fast track until Schwarzenegger's fellow Republicans balked, arguing that it amounted to a giveaway for Hollywood. Now, the bill can't even get a hearing.
With the scheduled legislative recess looming late today, Schwarzenegger and Nuñez are considering a switch in tactics. Nuñez said he hoped to line up verbal commitments from legislative leaders to put the proposed movie tax credits into the state budget for the spending year that begins in July.
No one sees movies anymore because TV has never been so good. The producers of films are now pumping out great, film-quality footage, effects and soundtracks on TV. I would stack "24", "Lost", "The Shield", "House, M.D." and "Battlestar Galactica" up against any film for substance, quality and impact. It seems that fully half the crap Hollyweird puts out these days are weak horror and zombie flicks and horribly cliched romantic comedies, where everyone knows exactly what's going to happen from ten minutes in.
Arnie may be onto something and be doing himself a favor by currying the same...
The carpenters and electrician unions have priced themselves out of business. The studios can go non union and cut costs dramatically. Taxpayers shouldn't have to subsidize union labor.
Good for Schwarzenegger.
If RINOld had half a set he would propose
TOTAL ELIMINATION OF THE CA STATE INCOME TAX!
FL & TX operate without one!
No reason why CA can't too!
I urge you to follow your dream and run for public office. Seek office in a "tough" political subdivision. Your views are moderate enough that you can compete in a historically liberal leaning district and if you succeed you'll have done a great service to our state.
Good luck to you sir.
Arnold has finally made a good move. Despite conservative hatred of Hollywood, California needs it to stay afloat, the entertainment industry is its biggest. Canada and a few states have been killing California recently with incentive plans for studios.
If he intends to utilize funds derived from the additional $10B bonding approval that he seeks through prop 76 or will simply increase California's annual budget to accommodate his largess, Schwarzenegger will be perceived as another European liberal doing his old business cronies a favor because he can. Still others will see his support as consideration for Nunez's support on unrelated matters, not necessarily public knowledge and probably equally specious.
If, on the other hand, Schwarzenegger proposes to approve and fund Nunez's legislation through cuts in existing state spending, instead of raising taxes or borrowing money, he will earn a modicum of my respect.