Does the image of being a cool film state offset the cost of tax breaks?

by Troy Reimink The Grand Rapids Press
Wednesday August 19, 2009, 11:14 AM

The Lansing State Journal reported from a rally Tuesday at the Capitol, where about 100 film industry workers gathered in support of continuing the state's lucrative tax breaks to filmmakers.

The credits have been the subject of debate as state lawmakers face an estimated $2.8 billion budget gap. The Press earlier this month reported on the efforts of some lawmakers to reduce the tax breaks.

Commonly cited by opponents are estimates from the state's Senate Fiscal Agency that the incentives will cost Michigan $100 million this year and $150 million in 2010. Legislation in the state Senate would change the incentive program by dropping the credit from 40-42 percent to 35 percent, capping the total credits at $50 million per year and requiring that 90 percent of crew personnel be from Michigan

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