My message to Governor Snyder about the Michigan Film Incentives

As a student and working actress in Michigan, I'm devastated that Governor Snyder would opt to cap the film industry's budget to $25 million dollars. This is my story about why I chose to stay in Michigan to work in the first place, and why I believe the film incentives should stay intact in order to encourage people to move to Michigan. I'm only one voice, and this unscripted personal opinion surely does not include all the details and facts about the Michigan Film Industry. I highly recommend you read your local newspaper, watch the news, google "Michigan Film Incentives" and learn how these incentives have impacted our economy, as well as understand the damaging reverse effect it will have if it is gone. Please be kind, as there are many opinions over the matter and for some this is a very personal situation.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Rick
• Snyder
• rickswrong
• Jacqui
• Bernhardt
• Michigan
• Film
• Incentives
• Government
• MichiganFilmReel
• Industry
• Detroit
• Grand
• Rapids

[mtgordon80]

So are you ready to pay more taxes to keep the film industry here?

[JacquiBernhardt]

@mtgordon80 Yes. With the film incentives I have a paying job here in Michigan. I'd be willing and able to pay taxes in order to stay here and work doing what I love.

[Realquiet23]

Well said Jacqui! I just hope more people step forward and speak out on the Michigan Film Incentives.

[mnmski2001]

Great video, we are hopeing to get some of the kids that you know to get together to film alittle video too. Since good ole' Rick keeps saying we need to think about our childrens futures. Well what about all of these kids. I would hate to have to live seperate from my kid but I would never be able to live with myself if I don't help him with his dream either. Well goodluck hope to see you soon.

[utopianverve]

Not sure what's been happening with this....but $25 million is a SHIT TON compared to my home state of WI. We had really nice incentives for one year. ONE YEAR. 2008. Which saw Public Enemies brought to WI. The state spend millions, but GAINED millions more in tourism, the entire production (considering it was big-budget Universal Films/Michael Mann) brought in so much money in central Wisconsin to restaurants, hotels, etc. And the NEXT YEAR, they capped the incentive to $500,000. That's it!

[OnTheFritz602]

The latest Ernst and Young report indicated that every dollar of incentive created 6 dollars of economic activity here in the State. That's phenomenal, and it's most likely a conservative estimate, because the ripple effect is so hard to quantify.

I'm all for the incentives, it's such a small fraction of the State budget, and it creates so much excitement along with the economic activity. Not to mention it will keep young energetic people like yourself from leaving.

[longdongbagong]

I don't know who you are, but RIGHT ON!!!! Snyder is so lost. I need to get out of Michigan and I'm not in the same industry.

[VIDEODROME13]

We if instead we have a broad tax cut for all business? Could that better position us to grow a diverse economy in Michigan instead of depending on a handful of industries like the auto makers?

[bestwayusa1]

Americans 93 % none union and our 7% union work force we must all unite for liveable wages and healthcare. Don’t be spellbound by the talking media heads of the unscrupulous companies and Gov officials who indirectly work for them. And are trying to put a wedge between us None of them are hurting are they. Support only fair trade! And USA products. Lets fill our coffers again. With taxes made by product's made here. Go on line to Made in USA.

[Potatoes4POTUS]

‎"Give it 5 years, then evaluate it. That's what Bobby Jindal, a fiscal conservative, did in Louisiana. He did not pass the law, just like Snyder. An independent study in 2009... showed economic output of $763 million between 2005 and 2007. The state legislature than made the incentives permanent... Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico are popping corks right now [over Snyder's decision]." -- thedaily dot com.

[Potatoes4POTUS]

I'm torn between fighting for an incentive program that has created jobs, lowered unemployment, and brought in millions of dollars, OR letting Snyder go through with his plan, screwing the state over, ruining the economy even more, and then electing a Governor and legislature in 2014 that will truly stand behind reinventing Michigan instead of the same old cuts to education, a tax code that benefits the wealthy, and service cuts that will scare off people from moving here. Decisions, decisions.

[Mrbluestarfilm]

Governor Snyder's budget contains $1.8 billion in tax cuts and incentives for businesses in this state which he says will "spur hiring and jobs." Fine. Then why cut THIS tax incentive that has shows to employ Michigan workers -- electricians, carpenters, designers, builders, etc. -- and brings in $6 for every $1 returned as a tax cut payout?

[Mrbluestarfilm]

The people who are against the film tax incentive who argue it is a form of "welfare" or a "government handout" are misinformed and don't really understand how tax incentives work. As a Republican or "conservative" you cannot be for government tax cuts to businesses and against THIS tax incentive at the same time. That's called hypocrisy. Either you support tax cuts and incentives to lure businesses to the state and keep them there (auto, health, manufacturing, etc.) or you're against them.

[Mrbluestarfilm]

@2paramount2 Many governors realized long ago the power of tax incentives to lure businesses to their state. That's why Gov. Walker in Wisconsin gave any business that moves to the state a 2 year ban on paying income tax. That's why Gov. Jindal of Louisiana permanently signed into law his film tax incentives. Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Iowa -- all looking at passing a film tax incentives. Since this was signed into law, the unemployment in Michigan dropped from 15.3% to 11.7%. Coincidence?