MOVING PICTURES MOVE OUT OF NY!

At least 100,000 jobs depend on this TAX CREDIT. The state makes a lot of money off the films shot here and for seemingly NO REASON AT ALL, they are trying to hush the fact that there are no plans to replenish the fund.

Here is an article I wrote on the subject.

http://www.thearchjournal.com/home/2009/2/26/moving-pictures-move-out-of-new-york.html

Thank You
Alex Brook Lynn

Hi Gov. Patterson:

I don't understand your reasoning behind why you would NOT RENEW THE NY FILM REBATE when it brings in so much revenue in many areas of this city.

-Paying for permits to shoot films & TV series
-The cast and crew members eating at many restaurants in the city
-Actors that are require to be up in hotels

I can go on and on about how much money is brought into our city when you have production companies wanting to produce their film and/or TV shows here because of the tax incentive.

According to a 2007 study, 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. In 2007, this program helped create over 7,000 jobs directly and over 12,000 jobs indirectly. 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.

Gov. Paterson wants tuition hikes and cuts to CUNY’s community colleges. But NYS funding per student at CUNY community colleges has declined by 26% since 1991-92.

NY has the widest gap between rich and poor of any state in the country. The wealthiest 1% have seen their tax rates halved in the last 25 years, while CUNY students have seen their tuition skyrocket.

As public money goes down, tuition goes up: In 1989, tuition covered 12.4% of CUNY’s operating costs. Now, it’s more than 40%

This year, enrollment (the number of students) is the highest it’s been since 1975, but there are 40% fewer full-time faculty than in 1975. CUNY has added 47,495 students – or the equivalent of three new colleges – since 2000.

Who are our students? New York ’s working class: 45.5% of CUNY students work more 20 hours a week Almost 73% of CUNY students are students of color, 68.6% of them attended an NYC high school, and 80% of CUNY graduates stay in NYS, pumping $15 billion into NY’s economy annually.

But there’s less support for CUNY students than ever before Last year, NYC cut Vallone Scholarships 39% -- and this year Bloomberg wants to cut it to 0. TAP doesn’t cover independent students with no dependents, part-time students,

Through the Great Depression and until 1976, CUNY was free! And in the 1930s, New York established three CUNY colleges (Brooklyn, Queens and what’s now Lehman, then known as Hunter Uptown)

New York needs that kind of courageous political thinking today. Investing in public higher education is the best way to reinvigorate our economy and build our future. CUNY is the Path to New York ’s Future.

On behalf of the students and faculty at Queens College, I'm adding my voice to those who have commented already.
CUNY's funding was cut in the 1970's and never fully restored. We cannot afford more cuts now, and our students cannot afford a tuition hike.
Use some of the stimulus $$ to fully fund CUNY. Pres. Obama has called for investment in education. This has to be a priority for New York State.

One of the most cost effective ways to apply the funds is to invest in higher education. Individuals who graduate from institutions like the City University of New York provide a great future return to the state in the form of revenues which can then be used to help fund other state and local needs.

A thriving economy requires spending by all tax brackets. With Wall Street collapsing and hedge funds crumbling, we're losing some of our biggest spenders. If the Film Tax Rebate is discontinued, not only will we be taking away from small businesses throughout the city and making it difficult for thousands to find jobs in their chosen profession, as many have mentioned, we will also be pushing out some of our remaining big spenders. Think of the producers and directors and executives. With no incentive to shoot here, these people with big money will just stay in LA, or spend their money in Canada. As it's been demonstrated, when the top 10 percent is in trouble, we're all in trouble. Bottom line: Bad Idea.

Last night I attended a forum with students at one of the CUNY colleges, and a young woman studying to become a teacher said, "How can there be anything more important for the stimulus money than public higher education? If CUNY tuition is raised and the door or CUNY is shut to me, New York will be shutting out more than just me--the state will be losing the next great teacher, the next great legislator, the next great doctor, the next great community leader."

CUNY changes lives, collectively and individually. There is no better investment of the stimulus money. The students, faculty and staff of the City University of New York call on Governor Paterson to dedicate a fair share of the stimulus money to public higher education. Public higher education in New York has been nickel-and-dimed by the State for twenty years; this is a chance to do something different and make a real investment. Don't lose that chance.

Brian,
I have a CUNY BA and a CUNY PhD. Today, CUNY educates New York's working class. 45.5% of our student work more than 20 hours a week and 73% are students are color. Now is the time to invest in CUNY, not “tax-by-tuition” our struggling students. Why is the governor unwilling to raise taxes on the most affluent of New Yorkers? If New York could establish three CUNY colleges during the Great Depression (Brooklyn, Queens, and now Lehman – formerly Hunter), why can’t we maintain or increase support of CUNY now?!

Film incentive program:
According to an Ernst and Young report, since April 2008, the film industry has brought 100 productions to the New York State resulting in $1.9 billion spent here which resulted in $220 million in taxes for the city and state. This comes from thousands of jobs created and retained here in New York.This is almost double the amounts from the previous year.
I work in the film industry and pay taxes in New York State and have been busy here this last year, due in large part to this program.
I think the incentive program to benefit film production in New York has proven itself and must be re-instated.
Thanks,
Pat Harbron

I am in favor of the NY Film tax incentive. Taking it away would put thousands of people out of work and NY would not benefit from that at all. It has brought in a huge amount of money for NY and has proven to be successful. Getting rid of the NY film tax incentive would be a mistake.

I cannot express how important it is for Governor Patterson to renew the NY Film Rebate.
This program has proven to be succesful and beneficial to the city. Without this program, it is inevitable that many productions will leave the city, productions that enable me to
pay my bills.

I'm a production assistant, which means I work long hours without union benefits, yet I love this business. I do not have the luxury to move from one city to another if- God forbid- this rebate is not renewed.

Taking the tax incentive away would have a horrible impact on the film industry. Thousands of people will be left unhappy and the rest unemployed. This move will have an effect on everyone!

I am a supporter of the New York tax incentive. I would like the governor to speak on this subject as I believe that it is a very significant issue for the film industry that needs to be addressed!

HJM
construction workers buy goods and services
also if a construction work is working in construction he's not working in another field opening the job to others.

Brian,
Since you brought up the MTA, this is a great opportunity to ask the governor about governance and transparency. I UNDERSTAND that the MTA needs money. but you CANNOT put in additional monies and funding to the MTA unless you address the corruption and the lack of transparency and governance. The MTA is where it is NOT because of the economic crisis, but because of the mismanagement and corruption of the Pataki admnistration. WHAT is the governor and the Ravitch commission doing to prevent the pillaging of the MTA?

i was a successful high school math teacher, but i left teaching because to go to the private sector. i got tired of dedicating long hours while my colleague where out the door before the bell rang. is there anything in the legislation that would entice a person like myself back into the classroom?

Is New York State still borrowing $90 million per month to pay unemployment claims? Or has that figure gone up?

If the first time unemployment claim number is up to almost 670,000, what's the figure for New York?

Tax the rich people, Paterson.

Will some part of the budget will go the MTA?
So, MTA might consider not to raise fares or may be reduce fares.

Good question, Brian. But I wouldn't exactly call Obama's measures progressive. Progressive health care reform would be a single payer national health care program.

Ask Governor Paterson:

When is the democratic party in New York going to take back New York City with a democratic mayor, such as Rep. Weiner? Wouldn't that be progessive in line with President Obama?

NY Film Tax Credit

The tax incentive is vital to the production industry in NY. Unless money is allocated to this program in the new budget, the city could lose millions in income. This program has proven to be successful and brings in considerably more than it costs. There are over 80,000 New Yorkers who work in the production industry. This incentive not only effects them, but thousands, upon thousands of vendors. With LA's proposed tax incentive, losing our incentive could prove disastrous to the NY production industry.

Hello Brian -- Can you ask the governor about how the stimulus package will affect these proposed massive fare increases (up to 25%) for subway and commuter trains. I take the LIRR to Penn for work then have to take the subway downtown. I am the primary income in the household, which includes a disables mother in law. According to the proposals, the cost of a monthly metro card will increase from $81 to $103. I currently pay $160 per month for my LIRR pass, if that increases too, then I could be paying over $300 month for transportation costs (mind you, there were no raises this year at our company).

are our representatives from NJ/NY doing enough to get our tax dollars back from washington?

http://www.taxfoundation.org/UserFiles/Image/Blog/ftsbs-large.jpg

Can someone explain how building more & stimulating construction helps people who are not male under 50 years old?

Hi -
Ernst & Young has just provided documentation that said that the $670 million dollars the city and State spent for the NY Film & TV tax credit yielded $2.1 billion dollars. You cannot beat that return. There were 19 pilots that were slated to come to NY - none of them came. They all went to other states or Canada. Save jobs, provide a huge income for New York!

Please ask the governor about the rumor that he will be using stimulus funding to support the Atlantic Yards.

Also, if you feel like breaching the subject:

his senatorial pick.

thank you.

The women's locker room at the Parks Recreation facility on W. 59th street in Manhattan. It is absolutely crumbling apart!

the NY film rebate helps to bring 1000s of tv and film projects to the nyc area - it employs thousands of people directly - as well as sustains countless local businesses who will be directly harmed by the lack of filming here in ny - some such businesses are minerva dry cleaners, manhattan wardrobe supply, catering companies, grocery stores, hardware stores, and the list goes on and on
why would you chose to not renew the NY film rebate?

Provide additional funding for the New York State Film Credit. Ernst & Young reports that over 19,000 jobs were created in 2007 alone, the most recent year that all employment calculations have been completed.

The State and City of New York combined will collect $220 million more tax revenue than is paid out in production tax credit to motion picture and television producers.

For every $1 of tax credits issued, $1.90 in tax revenues are collected.

All major New York-based independent production facilities have announced major expansion plans. Kaufman Studios has recently broken ground for a new $20 million sound stage to accommodate a major increase in location production.

Tourism increases in locations where successful films are shot by as much as 50% over the following four years. With the surge of films and television programs using New York as a backdrop, the film industry has helped spread the New York brand across the globe in millions of theatres and homes, thereby attracting additional revenues.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of the credit has caused productions to leave New York or not to produce here at all. This has already led to the loss of jobs in an industry that has demonstrated that it generates more in revenue than is paid out by the state in the form of credits. All sectors benefit from this additional revenue received by New York City and State.

Without the NY State film tax incentives NYC will lose a major source of income. Thousands of us work within this industry and studios follow tax breaks throughout the US. Please help us keep the work in NY by maintaining this tax incentive.

CUNY has increasing enrollments, to the point that it is having difficulty handling the student's needs properly. The contribution of higher education to the productivity of citizens of the state has been shown over and over again. Use of stimulus money to insure that CUNY is able to provide a high quality education to New Yorkers is well justified.

I graduated City College when it was free. Now CUNY students have to pay tuition; only some get financial aid sufficient to cover their cost until they graduate. Now the governor proposes tuition increases, 80% (?) of which will to go to the state, not the university. Investing stimulus money in the state's universities, including CUNY, SUNY and the community colleges, could roll back this proposal and invest in the State's future. Will the governor use stimulus money to avoid budget cuts and tuition increases for CUNY and SUNY? (Correction of typo)

City University of New York (CUNY) resides in virtually every neighborhood of the city--there are 19 campuses with over 200,0000 students and more than 15,000 faculty and staff.

Dollars that go to CUNY have a huge multiplier effect--they spur on students to become economic engines of the city and they also enhance the communities they are in.

PLEASE ask the governor why CUNY is taking hits instead of getting more funding?

And how he can morally allow the buildings to crumble to the point where they are dangerous.
Invite him up to City College, the original flagship of CUNY and we will give him a tour of Marshak Hall--the science building which is visually crumbling in front of student bodies!

I graduated City College when it was free. Now CUNY students have to pay tuition; only some get financial aid sufficient to cover their cost until they graduate. Now the governor proposes tuition increases, 80% (?) of which will to go to the state, not the university. Investing stimulus money in the state's universities, including CUNY, SUNY and the community colleges, could tol back this proposal and invest in the State's future. Will the governor use stimulus money to avoid budget cuts and tuition increases for CUNY and SUNY?

Gov. Paterson,
If stimulating the economy is the purpose of the federal money, is Mass Transit not the most deserving area? Transit is how people in financial danger keep their jobs.

Also, doesn't transit employ more people, and for longer (albeit on public money) than, say, work on roads?

Transit is a smart long-term investment in economic and environmental sustainability.

Hello Brian:

I would point to two important projects that impact the immediate and long-term stability of my neighborhood: community gardens and urban agriculture projects such as those supported by Green Guerillas, Green Thumb, and Just Food as well as the City University of New York--our crown jewel of accessible higher education for low income New Yorkers. The greatest predictor of a family's economic stability is education level. We simply cannot sell short our city's future to close short-term, current, mthough admittedly dire, financial gaps.

I'm a professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College. I know first hand, that there's a lot of synergy in investing in CUNY. The state, and indeed all of our neighborhoods benefit from an educated workforce that pays taxes, participates in civic organizations, and engages fully in the education of our children. My students work, they go to school, they volunteer in their communities and they help their children with their homework. Investing in CUNY truly embraces the concept of stimulating the economy!

CUNY needs money, not budget cuts. More people than ever need the public university for necessary training or re-training in these economic conditions.

I hope that some of NY State's stimulus money goes to higher education. My mother, my daughter, and I have all graduated from - and worked at - the City University of New York. We know from personal experience and from the students we have served how valuable this education is. This year, enrollment is the highest it’s been since 1975, but there are 40% fewer full-time faculty than in 1975. Please tell the governor that we have taken our share of the cuts already, we need MORE faculty and staff to continue to provide an education to struggling New Yorkers.

Please ask the Governor if he still intends to cut NYS contribution to SSI for disabled New Yorkers. When he proposed the cut he said that NYS couldn’t count on the not-yet passed federal stimulus package. Now that he knows NYS will be getting more than he anticipated from the federal stiumulus, can he assure disabled New Yorkers that he will not be cutting their already meagre SSI income?

Can you ask the Governor briefly on the status of the Healthcare bill he proposed that would allow for people up to 29 to get back onto their in-state parents health insurance plans?

NY FILM REBATE:
it has been proven to bring in billions. it has kept employed 10's of thousands in the film and TV industry, including myself. it has brought in $$$$$$$ to local vendors who need that revenue now more than ever.
WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU TAKE IT AWAY?
100's to 1000's of work/films scheduled to come to NY will go to canada. not LA or anywhere else in the US, canada.
IT IS A PROVEN SUCCESS! KEEP THE REBATE!!