Support for 1449 "An Act To Expand Tax Incentives for Visual Media Productions".

I haven’t had time to sit down and write about the wonderful group that showed up for the testimony for LD1449"An Act To Expand Tax Incentives for Visual Media Productions".

The room was full of between 40 and 50 supporters. 22 people testified in support of the bill and no one testified against the bill.

The reaction from the taxation committee was very positive and they were all patient while listening to the testimony. We took over 2 hours of their time in testimony and each of them asked great questions.

The taxation committee understands the benefits. The issue will come in setting money aside to finance the incentives. Money will not be spent by the state until money has come into the state from media production, however that money still has to be set aside in the budgeting process under the current budgeting laws.

This means that a fiscal note will have to be created for the 5 million dollar post- production, investment the state will have to make. This process makes it look like the bill is taking money away from other programs when it will actually create future revenue that will help to increase funding to other programs.

As representative Sirois said at one point during the meeting “75% of something is better than 100% of nothing”

I believe that we are headed in the right direction and the next 2 weeks will be crucial. May 4th is the work session for the taxation committee. I encourage all of you to contact you local representative and senator. It will make and difference and hopefully we can all be involved in bringing more money, creativity and marketing to the state we love.

First Public Hearing on Film Bill LD1449 MONDAY 4/27 1PM Augusta, Room 127 State House

First Public Hearing on Film Bill LD1449 MONDAY 4/27 1PM Augusta, Room 127 State House

The incentives bill is ready for its first public hearing and I would like to invite you to attend. The public hearing is set for Monday April 27th at 1PM in room 127 at the State House in Augusta.

Barney and I continue our advocacy. I spoke at the Maine Film and Video Association meeting last night and Barney and I made an appearance on the Ray and Ted show at 95.5 FM this morning.

Because the show is no longer aired on Fox I asked my friend and filmmaker Brett Plymale to use my old school JVC video camera to record the piece. He did a great job. Thank you Brett. You can view the segment at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zda6SrLbQWA&feature=channel_page

In addition the Mainebiz television show which airs on NBC channels 2 and 6 in Maine at 10 am this Sunday will focus on Visual Media Incentives and their possible impact on the State of Maine.

Host Alan Hinsey interviews actor Jonathan Frakes, DECD Commissioner John Richardson, Maine Independent filmmaker Dana Packard and yours truly. Alan says the show is great and we’d love to have you all tune in.

For those of you who are receiving this by email you can click on the attached .wmv and watch the promo.

Barney and I will continue to keep you updated and we’d love to hear from all of you.

Have a great weekend!