FYI: FILM INCENTIVES in NC-- Recent Star-News article is incomplete, biased. altho somewhat helpful. First, let me say I thought it was supposed to be news and not opinion. It misses on both scores. The reported failed to provide adequate context and even omitted mentioning that the states indecision and failure to reauthorize the incentives has already caused NC to lose at least 2 major productions and the jobs, income to the community. boost to the economy, and all the other benefits those and other productions would bring. Instead the reporter mistakenly leads the public into believing that the governors administration is ahead of the game by looking at the film incentive (well) in advance of its expiration date in just over a year . . . . The reporter continued the misplaced kudos and ran into editorializing by saying the administration was taking a Pragmatic [my own capitalization to call your attention to the use of this word] approach to its future . . . . Words do have an impact and the reporter and headline writer for the print edition did the film community and community at large no service with these statements and the graphics: Worth the PRICE?; State takes another look at controversial film incentive. Further, isnt it ironic that the article appears just below another piece of news: PPD likely to get incentives of $425k???! The article neglects to question in any way the constitutionality of this and also the hushed hushed incentives (actually a cash handout discovered by the public 3 years after they were offered but ultimately rejected by the targeted huge foreign conglomerate so it would not have to comply with permitting requirements) Titan Cement and Limestone mining (which would spew tons of mercury and other pollutants into the air and water near schools and vulnerable water sources). However, the writer gives considerable space to Rick Catlin (known for being a constitutional expert-- Im kidding!) to promote his misguided view of how the film incentives work. Did the reporter even ask film industry and other proponents of film incentives-- such as their lawyers-- anything about the constitutionality issue? The reporter did say that the governors Commerce Secretary, who has generally been a supporter of the . . . incentives . . . is working . . . to build a consensus. Im glad of that. Realistically, however, most Republicans in the administration and the NC General Assembly already have stated they are against incentives. The Republicans control the state. What will the film community and opponents to the Republicans position have to give up to save NCs film production? To lead the public into believing that retooling the film incentives to gain support is a good thing is just plain wrong. Again, the indecision and delay cause productions to get squirrelly, go to other states, and feed the economies in Other states. Bottom Line: Without the incentives, very few productions will come here (as recent history has proven) and the state wont have to give any money back. 100% of $0 coming into the state=$0. With a quick reaffirmation of the incentives, well be even busier than we have been this past year or two. And 75% (the state keeps) of the $$$$million$$$$ coming into the state=$$$millions$$$
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 22:16:33 +0000
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