ALEX ZABLOCKI,
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE, CALLS ON GOVERNOR
DAVID PATERSON TO FUND THE NYS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM FOR FILM AND
TV
The program has created thousands of jobs over the past few
years; Zablocki calls the program “vital to our economy”; Joins
industry leaders in calling for the funding of the program
New York – Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public
Advocate, wrote to Governor David Paterson today calling for
the funding of the successful NYS tax credit program for
film and television.
The New York State tax credit program has recently run out of money, which is used to lure new production of television and film to New York State.
According to a recently published report in the New York Post, titled “Cut! And Run Looms: NY Out of Film Lures”, Governor Paterson’s office said there “…is no additional funding for the tax credits included in his [Governor Paterson’s] latest budget proposal.” Alex Zablocki calls this “alarming”.
A 2007 study by Ernst and Young found the state and city combined have issued $690 million in tax credits and have collected $2.7 billion in taxes from movie and television productions. It has helped to create over 7,000 jobs, directly, in 2007 and over 12,000 jobs indirectly.
Alex Zablocki said: “The television and movie industry employs residents in every borough. From Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, to Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens; from the independent filmmaker in Staten Island and the Bronx to the television studios of Manhattan, thousands of people are employed by this industry. These tax credits have helped create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly and at a time when our economy is struggling, we need to fund programs such as this. This program is vital to our economy.”
Anthony Pizzuto, Executive Producer, Two Tones Pictures said: "The film industry provides thousands and thousands of jobs for professionals around the tri-state area every year. From actors to cooks, directors to construction crews. Over the past year production companies have been moving further and further away from our great city because of the cost benefits and tax incentives provided by other states. It's becoming easier to re-create New York City in Vancouver and in Hollywood then it is to actually do it here. In these hard times it is completely irresponsible for us to let these jobs and tax dollars go away. We need to show Hollywood what we have to offer, New York needs to show our unemployed casts and crews that we have their interests on the table."
New York City has seen a surge in new television, motion picture and commercial filming in recent years. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting reports that in 2002, there were 14,858 NYC location shooting days and in 2008, we reached over 27,250 days. A direct correlation exists between the growth of this industry and the tax credits provided from the state.
On February 6, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported (N.Y. tax-credit program that lured film and TV shoots runs out of funds) that “At a local economic conference Monday, NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker said he didn't expect the studios to do any filming in New York this year unless the tax incentive program received new funding.”
“We need to compete with other states, such as New Jersey and California, that have a more favorable tax system for businesses. We can’t lose these jobs!”, Alex said.
For more information on Alex's bid for Public Advocate, visit www.alex2009.com. Alex is seeking comments, concerns and suggestions from voters, civic groups, businesses and organizations across the five boroughs. His campaign can be contacted at 718-734-1093 or at info@alex2009.com.
The letter sent to the Governor, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senator Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is posted below. The Empire Development Corporation administers the program.
Alex Zablock’s campaign created a Facebook group located at: http://www.facebook.com/in
# # #
February 6, 2009
Governor David Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson,
I am writing to you today, on behalf of the thousands of men and women employed in the film and television industry in New York State. A recent article in the New York Post, titled “Cut! And Run Looms: NY Out of Film Lures”, reported that the successful state program that provides tax credits to lure television and film productions to New York has run out of money. The report goes on to say that “A Paterson spokesman said yesterday that there is no additional funding for the tax credits included in his latest budget proposal.” This is alarming.
With an unemployment rate of over 7%, now is not the time to cut programs that create jobs and foster new businesses in our state. This program is proven to be highly successful and at a time when this industry needs all the help it can get, you must rethink the true impact of not funding this valuable program.
According to a 2007 study by Ernst and Young, the state and city combined have issued $690 million in tax credits and have collected $2.7 billion in taxes from movie and television productions. This program pays for itself! It helped create over 7,000 jobs, directly, in 2007 and over 12,000 jobs indirectly.
As you are aware, New York City has seen a surge in new television, motion picture and commercial filming in recent years. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting reports that in 2002, there were 14,858 NYC location shooting days and in 2008, we reached over 27,250 days. There is a direct correlation between the growth of this industry and the tax credits provided from the state - we need to keep the momentum going, especially during tough economic times.
New York City and New York State have become “Hollywood of the East”. We are finally a player in the international film industry. Please, Governor Paterson, fund the New York State Tax Credit program for television and motion pictures. Real jobs depend on it!
Sincerely,
Alex Zablocki
Candidate
NYC Public Advocate
Cc: Malcolm Smith, Senate Majority Leader
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
The New York State tax credit program has recently run out of money, which is used to lure new production of television and film to New York State.
According to a recently published report in the New York Post, titled “Cut! And Run Looms: NY Out of Film Lures”, Governor Paterson’s office said there “…is no additional funding for the tax credits included in his [Governor Paterson’s] latest budget proposal.” Alex Zablocki calls this “alarming”.
A 2007 study by Ernst and Young found the state and city combined have issued $690 million in tax credits and have collected $2.7 billion in taxes from movie and television productions. It has helped to create over 7,000 jobs, directly, in 2007 and over 12,000 jobs indirectly.
Alex Zablocki said: “The television and movie industry employs residents in every borough. From Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, to Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens; from the independent filmmaker in Staten Island and the Bronx to the television studios of Manhattan, thousands of people are employed by this industry. These tax credits have helped create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly and at a time when our economy is struggling, we need to fund programs such as this. This program is vital to our economy.”
Anthony Pizzuto, Executive Producer, Two Tones Pictures said: "The film industry provides thousands and thousands of jobs for professionals around the tri-state area every year. From actors to cooks, directors to construction crews. Over the past year production companies have been moving further and further away from our great city because of the cost benefits and tax incentives provided by other states. It's becoming easier to re-create New York City in Vancouver and in Hollywood then it is to actually do it here. In these hard times it is completely irresponsible for us to let these jobs and tax dollars go away. We need to show Hollywood what we have to offer, New York needs to show our unemployed casts and crews that we have their interests on the table."
New York City has seen a surge in new television, motion picture and commercial filming in recent years. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting reports that in 2002, there were 14,858 NYC location shooting days and in 2008, we reached over 27,250 days. A direct correlation exists between the growth of this industry and the tax credits provided from the state.
On February 6, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported (N.Y. tax-credit program that lured film and TV shoots runs out of funds) that “At a local economic conference Monday, NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker said he didn't expect the studios to do any filming in New York this year unless the tax incentive program received new funding.”
“We need to compete with other states, such as New Jersey and California, that have a more favorable tax system for businesses. We can’t lose these jobs!”, Alex said.
For more information on Alex's bid for Public Advocate, visit www.alex2009.com. Alex is seeking comments, concerns and suggestions from voters, civic groups, businesses and organizations across the five boroughs. His campaign can be contacted at 718-734-1093 or at info@alex2009.com.
The letter sent to the Governor, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senator Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is posted below. The Empire Development Corporation administers the program.
Alex Zablock’s campaign created a Facebook group located at: http://www.facebook.com/in
# # #
February 6, 2009
Governor David Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson,
I am writing to you today, on behalf of the thousands of men and women employed in the film and television industry in New York State. A recent article in the New York Post, titled “Cut! And Run Looms: NY Out of Film Lures”, reported that the successful state program that provides tax credits to lure television and film productions to New York has run out of money. The report goes on to say that “A Paterson spokesman said yesterday that there is no additional funding for the tax credits included in his latest budget proposal.” This is alarming.
With an unemployment rate of over 7%, now is not the time to cut programs that create jobs and foster new businesses in our state. This program is proven to be highly successful and at a time when this industry needs all the help it can get, you must rethink the true impact of not funding this valuable program.
According to a 2007 study by Ernst and Young, the state and city combined have issued $690 million in tax credits and have collected $2.7 billion in taxes from movie and television productions. This program pays for itself! It helped create over 7,000 jobs, directly, in 2007 and over 12,000 jobs indirectly.
As you are aware, New York City has seen a surge in new television, motion picture and commercial filming in recent years. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting reports that in 2002, there were 14,858 NYC location shooting days and in 2008, we reached over 27,250 days. There is a direct correlation between the growth of this industry and the tax credits provided from the state - we need to keep the momentum going, especially during tough economic times.
New York City and New York State have become “Hollywood of the East”. We are finally a player in the international film industry. Please, Governor Paterson, fund the New York State Tax Credit program for television and motion pictures. Real jobs depend on it!
Sincerely,
Alex Zablocki
Candidate
NYC Public Advocate
Cc: Malcolm Smith, Senate Majority Leader
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
