June 29th is D-Day for SC Tax Incentives
As it is with most states, South Carolina is dealing with budget shortfalls and one of Governor Mark Sanford’s solutions is to end the state’s film incentive program. The SC House has already voted to 104 to 7 to override Sanford’s veto of the program, and now it’s up to the state’s Senate to complete the process to keep the incentive’s going.
What’s the likelihood of the state’s incentives going away? In a down economy, it all depends on how much state senators think being seen as fiscal hawks will benefit them more than being seen as the folks who voted to lose the state jobs. Houses, state or federal, tend to lean more populist than their Senate brethren, with Senators more willing to risk public ire to make a principled stance.
Of the productions that could be affected is Lifetime‘s hit show Army Wives. One of the more prominent productions in the Southeast (in the works is a spin-off set in Atlanta) , the show has not only generated jobs locally in SC, the show routinely casts from surrounding states, including here in Georgia. The show having to cease production or move out of the South to continue, could have a ripple effect. Although, there is the possibility the show could relocate to Georgia or another state to take advantage of their incentives if need be.
Personally, with a 104 to 7 vote to back them up, I’d say the Senate goes the way of the House.
“Army Wives” star lobbies against SC film incentive cuts (AUDIO)
UPDATE: Loss of SC film incentives could mean the end of “Army Wives”
Save South Carolina Film Incentives! Facebook Group
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- North Carolina House Okays Tax Bill, NC Film Office Launches Properties Web Page North Carolina is keeping busy. The state’s House recently okayed...
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I believe you will be proved correct.
That type of majority is hard to reverse especially with visible industry jobs at stake.
-M