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News Regional & State News Critics say PA film tax credit not necessary
Thursday, 04 August 2011 13:40

Critics say PA film tax credit not necessary

Written by  Mary Wilson

(Harrisburg) -- The state’s 25 percent film tax credit goes to producers who spend more than half of a movie’s budget in the state. Governor Corbett has voiced his support for the tax break, which he says creates jobs. But, Nathan Benefield with the conservative Commonwealth Foundation says states across the country are star struck by the film industry. He says wooing it with tax breaks isn’t good policy. "The film industry is a small part of the overall economy and a lot of these films would be in Pennsylvania regardless of the film tax credit, so it’s a carve out for a special industry that doesn’t benefit the overall economy," Benefield says. He says the state’s economy would be better off if it lowered the overall tax burden on businesses. A spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh Film Office, a liaison for production companies, says the program has brought a steady stream of business to the region, and quadrupled the size of the local base of people who work as crew for films.

Last modified on Thursday, 04 August 2011 13:14

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