I've raged, I've railed, I've reported where the state tax loot goes. I'm proven right again and again. When I break later today (no picnic; I don't feel much like celebratin' knowing our missiles and military are laying waste to people) I think I will watch a movie of my choosing. I'll give you a clue as too which one (see sideboard list of favorite movies and books).
Related: Hollywood S***s on Massachusetts
Lights, Camera, CUT!
Hollywood's State Funding: The Sequel
That's a WRAP, taxpayers!
"Film perks may be shortchanging the state; Patrick aides divided over long-term benefits of tax breaks" by Frank Phillips, Globe Staff | July 4, 2009
And WAIT until YOU SEE whom the VESTED INTERESTS are at the STATEHOUSE!!
More than three years into a state program that awards lucrative tax incentives to lure filmmakers to Massachusetts, a new report by Governor Deval Patrick’s administration concludes that taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth.
That's why I don't want them here.
The report, which the state Department of Revenue released yesterday, says that Massachusetts is getting only 16 cents for every dollar the state spends on the incentives, and that much of the benefits from the program are going to out-of-state companies and workers.
But the MSM goes out of its way to rip Sarah Palin for bailin' today.
Anyhow, they prove me right on the Slow Saturday sh.....
And ARE YOU EVER GETTIN' TOOK, Bay Staters!
Enacted in 2005, the program effectively underwrites a quarter of filmmakers’ production costs, in hopes that the movie industry will in turn hire Massachusetts workers and generate economic activity in the state. But the report indicates that many of the jobs are temporary, and that the state isn’t getting anywhere near its money back on its investment.
In THIS INSTANCE, the STATE is YOU, sucker, 'er, taxpayer!
The state handed out about $166 million worth of tax credits to 267 projects from 2006 through 2008, according to the report. The state is set to spend nearly $100 million more on 30 projects in the works, the report says.
And YOU KNOW that is LOWBALLED!!!
I keep track, and I KNOW IT MORE THAN THAT!
ALL TAX MONEY to a PROFITABLE INDUSTRY while SCHOOLS CLOSE, TEACHERS are LAID OFF, STATE SERVICES SLASHED, and COPS and FIREMAN hitting the pavement!
Yes, the GREAT COMMONWEALTH of Massachusetts!!! COMMONWEALTH for WELL-CONNECTED INTERESTS!
And WHAT could the STATE do with $300 MILLION dollars, hmmm?
The tax program has fueled a debate - and one with serious political implications - within Patrick’s administration over whether the tax credits are wasting taxpayer money or planting the seeds for future economic growth.
I am TIRED of the FALSE PROMISES covering the LOOTINGS, 'kay?
Critics say the incentives give huge tax breaks to wealthy Hollywood moguls and movie stars who hardly need the help. But the program has support from powerful Beacon Hill lawmakers, including Senate President Therese Murray and House assistant majority leader Ronald Mariano, both of whom are hoping to bring large, permanent soundstages to their districts.
Talk about SELF-SERVING!!!
Related: Legislature Beats Lottery
Yeah, Mariano is the criminal heavy the leg sent over to send a not-so-subtle message to the treasurer!!!
The projects together would cost close to $600 million, but their construction hinges on the continuation of the film tax credit program, Murray and Mariano say. “This is like the seeding,’’ Murray said. “You have to look at the bigger picture.’’
Oh, I SEE the BIG PICTURE, you looting piece of crap (Globe said I could I could use it)!
But critics, citing other states’ experiences, have seized on the report, saying it confirms their fears that Massachusetts is giving away money at a time of fiscal crisis, when vital services are being cut.
Peter D. Enrich, a Northeastern University law professor who specializes in tax incentives, said Massachusetts has joined a self-defeating national competition among other states.
“We are essentially becoming co-producers with the Hollywood moguls,’’ said Enrich, a former top official in the Dukakis administration.
ALL OF US being BENT OVER by that IMMORAL SCUM out West!
What direction Patrick will take is not clear. His top fiscal adviser, Leslie Kirwan, the secretary of administration and finance, who oversees the Revenue Department, is pointing to the agency’s findings to raise questions about the benefits of the tax credits, according to administration officials.
That's probably as far as it goes; they'll still get their tax loot.
But Patrick’s economic development staff counter that the incentives have helped generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, and will help create a vibrant, permanent film industry.
Yeah, while WE GET LOOTED!!! To say they are NOT WORKING for SPECIAL (and JEWISH) interests is the height of ignorance!!!
“It’s wrong to ask whether it’s worth it based only on short-term results,’’ said Gregory Bialecki, the secretary of economic affairs. “The right question is, is it a better long-term investment?’’
Unless it comes to WHACKING OUR KIDS and their SCHOOLS!!!!
Related: No Apple For This Teacher
Such BULLSHIT from some STATE PUKE!
They MAKE ME use the LANGUAGE!!!
The debate among Patrick’s aides has created unease among those hoping to see a film industry gain a foothold in the Massachusetts economy.
I'll bet it creates 'unease!" I'd be UNEASY if $300 MILLION DOLLARS in FREE LOOT was being threatened!
That's NOT the kind of FOOTHOLD we NEED!
“We’re getting a mixed message from the administration,’’ said Mariano, a Quincy Democrat who is trying to persuade investors to build studio facilities at the former South Weymouth naval air station. “The fiscal folks are telling the governor one thing, and the development people are talking very differently.’’
Remember that for below.
Last month, Mariano and other lawmakers prevailed upon Patrick to back off his push to cap, at $2 million, the amount of salary that qualifies for the tax credit.
WTF? I mean, REALLY!
We are SUBSIDIZING MILLION DOLLAR SALARIES, 'eh?
They wonder why I post the guillotine?
Hanging in the balance, according to lawmakers, was production of a Tom Cruise-Cameron Diaz movie, “Wichita,’’ which is set to starting filming here. The movie is poised to be the biggest film ever shot in Massachusetts.
Well, whoopee-ding-do! He hasn't done anything since Samurai!
For the governor, the debate carries political implications, in part because of the interest that Mariano and Murray have in the construction of film studios in their districts.
Yeah, THANKS for LOOKING OUT FOR US and RAISING TAXES on us to "balance the budget!" I KNOW WHERE YOU CN FIND $300 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!
Patrick’s relationship with Murray, which has been fragile at best, was recently strained further when the administration last month rejected a request by Plymouth Rock Studios for a $50 million bonding subsidy for road, water, and sewer construction. The Plymouth studio is looking to build a $400-million complex and says it will eventually create as many as 4,000 jobs.
Yeah, yup, whatever! Tired of dog s*** promises that never pan out!
Murray has voiced support for the investors in her hometown. Her top political adviser, Kevin O’Reilly, this year took a job as Plymouth Rock’s vice president for government affairs. For the past year, he had been a consultant to both her campaign committee and the investors.
Sigh! Can YOU say CONFLICT of INTEREST!
Hey, that's Massachushitts politics for you, America -- once you get past the smug,m slef-adulating, self-righteous liberalism!
The controversy over the tax breaks reflects what is happening around the country. States are in a fierce competition to lure movie producers; some are enhancing their credits in efforts to outbid one another.
It sounds like EXTORTION, that's what it sounds like.
Yup, let's see WHICH STATE can THROW AWAY the MOST MONEY at a HIGHLY-PROFITABLE INDUSTRY! I mean, it is NOT LIKE they need the $$$!!
“It’s an absurd race to the bottom, and one which we can’t win,’’ said Representative Steven J. D’Amico, a Democrat from Seekonk. “They are a Trojan horse that backs us into a permanent entitlement for a highly profitable industry.’’
But WE KNOW WHO IS WINNING!
Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded watchdog group, added, “The Hollywood stars and famous directors come to town and the normal critical eye given most credits goes by the boards.’’
I hate to say it but CONSIDER the INTEREST!
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"Air base partner avoids closure; Cash infusion from developer rescues SouthField project" by Megan Woolhouse, Globe Staff | July 3, 2009
The agency charged with overseeing one of the largest developments in Massachusetts, the conversion of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, narrowly avoided closing down thanks to a $250,000 cash infusion from its corporate partner yesterday.
The South Shore Tri-Town Development Corp., made up of officials from Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, said the funds, from Miami developer LNR Property Corp., will allow it to operate through September. The agency would have closed “within a week’’ without additional funding from LNR, said its chief executive, Kevin Donovan.
The emergency funding is a stark example of the many struggles Tri-Town and LNR have had obtaining 900 acres of the old Navy station and converting it into a minicity known as SouthField. Under the arrangement, LNR would build more than 2,800 housing units, a golf course, a sports complex, and 2 million feet of commercial space.
Related: Massachusetts' Mini-City
Why hide it, Globe?
“Unfortunately, we’re in a perfect storm in terms of economic problems,’’ Donovan said.
Under federal law, the Navy must sell its land to a public entity before it can be turned over to a private company for development. LNR already owns about 540 acres of the site, which it bought from the Navy through Tri-Town. LNR has cleared large tracts of the land, built roads, and laid electric and sewer lines to support construction of about 500 homes and 150,000 square feet of commercial space....
The project has stalled as Tri-Town has been unable to obtain the financing to close on the $43.6 million purchase in the current slow real estate and lending environment.
I always wonder WHERE all those TRILLIONS in FED LIQUIDITY went, don't you?
Donovan has previously said that Tri-Town had concerns about LNR’s financial viability, saying the agency could experience problems selling bonds for the purchase “with LNR being the sole taxpayer’’ on the airbase property. LNR was put on negative credit watch in March by Wall Street credit agency by Standard & Poor’s, citing deterioration in the commercial real estate market....
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Need money?
Pigs at the State Trough
A Slow Saturday Special: Statehouse Slush Fund
Biotech Giveaway Was Borrowed Money
Massachusetts Residents Taken For a Ride
How many times I gotta put 'em up?
