LANSING — State Representative Kristy Pagan (D-Canton) spoke in opposition to House Bill 4122 when it came up for a vote on the House floor. The bill ends all film credit funding in Michigan. Over the objections of Pagan and other legislators in both parties, the bill narrowly passed, 58-51, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
“At a time when we are talking about supporting new and exciting industries in Michigan, we cannot forget about how strong of an impact the Michigan film incentive program has made in our great state,” Pagan said. “Since its creation in 2008, this incentive program has created more than 10,000 jobs — all highly skilled, good-paying jobs.”
The previous Legislature voted in December to extend the film credits through 2021, and the governor included the credits in his fiscal 2016 budget proposal. Numerous feature films have been shot in Michigan, including “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”
“Every $1 we invest in the film incentive program generates $10 in economic impact. Many out-of-work Michiganders, especially in the carpentry, electrical, and sound and lighting trades, are now finding work in building movie studios and sets right here in our local communities,” Pagan said. “This film incentive program is good for Michigan’s businesses, it’s good for Michigan’s local communities, and it’s good for Michigan’s families.”