Life, Liberty, Politics and Policy in the Land of Enchantment!
State Film Incentives Are Illegal
According to KOB-TV the Legislature may reconsider continuing the 25% kickback to Hollywood on every dollar spent here. That means when movie stars order up $100 bottles of wine at Coyote Cafe in Fanta Se, the working stiffs of New Mexico pick up $25 of the tab. Last year alone we gave movie producers $46 million. The KOB story is here: http://kob.com/article/stories/S801732.shtml?cat=500
I've been writing about another reason the film subsidies should end: the no interest film loans are illegal. They violate the New Mexico State Constitution's anti-donation clause. You can read my first report on this issue at http://www.riograndefoundation.org/new/articles/?EC=ReadArticle&... Another report will be released shortly showing that the AG has never retracted an opinion that loaning money to private companies--let alone interest-free loans--is unconstitutional. Nor has the AG formally concluded that the interest-free loans are somehow different than other private industry donations that violate state law. Look for that report to appear in Rio Grande Foundation's "Capitol Report."
Is anyone surprised that Richardson received over $367,000 from Hollywood for his hopeless run for the White House? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/indus.php?cycle=2008&cid=N000...
I've been writing about another reason the film subsidies should end: the no interest film loans are illegal. They violate the New Mexico State Constitution's anti-donation clause. You can read my first report on this issue at http://www.riograndefoundation.org/new/articles/?EC=ReadArticle&... Another report will be released shortly showing that the AG has never retracted an opinion that loaning money to private companies--let alone interest-free loans--is unconstitutional. Nor has the AG formally concluded that the interest-free loans are somehow different than other private industry donations that violate state law. Look for that report to appear in Rio Grande Foundation's "Capitol Report."
Is anyone surprised that Richardson received over $367,000 from Hollywood for his hopeless run for the White House? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/indus.php?cycle=2008&cid=N000...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeanie Meador on -
Once again, you should figure out that the film industry helps more people then you can count. If you refer to my answer to the other discussion on this subject, you might learn that if they leave, you business might hurt a lot more! By the way what is your business? We will be sure not to spend any of our money there since you are so against the industry!!
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Permalink Reply by Jim Scarantino on -
Any industry would benefit if the taxpayers kicked back 25% of every dollar spent. The film industry gets this handout because of its glamor and its lobbyists...and the fact that Hollywod is a huge political contributor. All that aside, it doesn't change the fact the NM Constitution explicitly prohibits giving money away to private enterprises. It would be illegal to give interest free loans to ranchers, homebuilders and lawyers. There is no exemption from the constitution's anti-donation clause for the film industry. They, and their well-paid friends roaming the Roundhouse halls, are not above the law.
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