Spacek lobbies Richmond
Albemarlean Sissy Spacek was at the General Assembly Tuesday, February 16 with Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (and with her husband Jack Fisk) to beseech lawmakers to pass incentives to attract filmmakers to Virginia. According to the Washington Post, the Academy Award-winner was attired like a horsewoman and tired of leaving the state to work. "I just think it's time for Virginia to get a piece of the pie," said Spacek. After the press conference, state Senator Creigh Deeds escorted her to the Senate dais. His rival for the governorship, Bob McDonnell, is pushing movie-making in the state to create jobs. Two bills going through the General Assembly offer income tax credits to productions spending at least $250K in Virginia.
28 comments
Back to the subject. Income tax incentives could work- but them the burden is on us to make up the short fall. Kind of like you and me saying we would visit or move to Los Angelos County, but only if we don’t have to pay income tax while I am there. I promise to buy food and everything else while there, but not pay income tax.
Isn’t going to work. They will get hammered when they go back to where they are from- guaranteed. ââ?¬Å?Oh, I see you didn’t pay any income tax to Virginia while you were filiming there, well here is your bill from California, recovering lost revenues”Š..”
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Harry, which exactly is your argument - that people and companies will take advantage of these incentives and thus the revenue collected by the state will decrease such that other taxpayers will have "to make up the short fall" or that people and companies will not take advantage of these incentives because they offer them no overall tax benefit?
WestBerkleyFlats- YES!
The argument is that from whatever State the film makers "escape" from so as to not pay income taxes in say, California, they may just be subjected to an income tax from California when they return- its is on our tax forms now- reciprocity is in full force. Never put that past a state division of taxation.
McDonnell's ideas are eerily reminiscent of Gilmore's no more car tax, and look where that got us .
But Nancy, haven't you seen the commercials? Bob McDonnell LOVES Virginia's State Parks...
Never saw Brown Bunny. Will have to watch it later tonight online. Thanks!
Fortunately for Ms. Spacek, she lives in the County or she would be shoveling her walkway........
Now, not sure why movie makers should get a tax break for filming here- there are certainly other benefits for them to do so- when they get a tax "break", we, as taxpayers to the State, must pick up the shortfall.
What she should do is lobby her friends in the moviemaking industry to come here and make their movies and spend their money- stressing the benefits of doing so, without a tax break.
If it's state parks or more schools, than I prefer the parks be closed. We still have plenty, and it's not like they're being sold... just closed.
If closing a few state parks for a while helps us out of our mess, than I'm all for it. Better parks be closed than lots of other things.
What the hell do any of the last comments have to do with Ms. Spacek lobbying for tax credits for the movie making industry???
Hoping Ms. Spacek will decide to make movies in state parks, especially those slated to be closed. I can picture it now- remember Susan Orlean's book " The Orchid Thief," turned into the movie "Adaptation", well, how about a movie --The Eagle Thief, filmed at Mason's Neck or Caledon Natural Area starring Ms Spacek; proceeds to benefit Virginia State Parks. Sounds like a plan
Huh? I don't think she produces movies. Unfortunately movie makers make movies to make money. Proceeds to benefit themselves.
Perhaps she could buy a state park and keep it open.
Back to the subject. Income tax incentives could work- but them the burden is on us to make up the short fall. Kind of like you and me saying we would visit or move to Los Angelos County, but only if we don't have to pay income tax while I am there. I promise to buy food and everything else while there, but not pay income tax.
Isn't going to work. They will get hammered when they go back to where they are from- guaranteed. "Oh, I see you didn't pay any income tax to Virginia while you were filiming there, well here is your bill from California, recovering lost revenues....."
Just like buying furniture in North Carolina and having it shipped to Virginia- no sales tax, right? That's right, until VA sees a bill of lading- then you get the tax bill from VA.
Funny how they always get their funny money.
The faux friendly Republican governor has proposed cutting social services and schools, to the bone this time, all the while increasing business incentives such as this one for filmmakers. The cuts include school lunches and health care for children. We will reap the results in about 15 years, if his plan is accepted. You can be sure Rob Bell is on his side.
Wonder if we can find a celeb to lobby for state parks --Kaine buys one, and McDonnell plans to close 4.
False Cape State Park near Virginia Beach
Caledon Natural Area near Fredericksburg, which is a favorite for eagle lovers
Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax County,
Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County
Way to go Sissy and Jack......jon eddowes
Love her in the HBO show "Big Love".
She plays a very powerful Washington D.C. lobbyist.
Maybe she can get some episodes of Big Love filmed here locally. I would love to meet Chole Sevigny! I have been a big fan of hers since her movie "Last Days of Disco"
The argument is that from whatever State the film makers ââ?¬Å?escape” from so as to not pay income taxes in say, California, they may just be subjected to an income tax from California when they return- its is on our tax forms now- reciprocity is in full force. Never put that past a state division of taxation.
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But Harry, what you're really saying then is that at worst these incentives will have no effect and at best they will encourage people and film companies to relocate to Virginia and film here. If you read the impact statement on the state website, you will see that pretty much every state has these types of incentives. They're pretty innocuous.
Nancy- good find- the article is dated Aug 22. 1977.
I have met her on a few occasions and she is a delightful person and her children are just as she is..(when they were younger)
A beautiful soul. I hope she is successful!!!
That is indeed bad news about McDonnell closing state parks. Some years ago I visited Mason Neck and it is a great place for eagles.
The state's finances have been screwed up ever since Gilmore and his "no car tax" program.
quote: "Warning. The ââ?¬Å?job” to which I refer is not her acting."
Some would say that makes her even more attractive! :)
I refuse comment. :)
Didn't have time to watch it last night.
Sissy, follow your dream--state parks await you
"Eventually Spacek wants to write, produce, direct, totally control her own movies.
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20068591,00.html
"Never saw Brown Bunny. Will have to watch it later tonight online. Thanks!"
Warning. The "job" to which I refer is not her acting.
Yes, but even with a tax "break," isn't more revenue generated for the state through the economic activity and resultant taxes that film production brings?
"Warning. The ââ?¬Å?job” to which I refer is not her acting."
That was like telling the kids there is no Santa. He is scarred for life now.
OK, so here's the summary of the bill:
Summary as introduced:
Motion picture film production tax credits. Provides income tax credits to any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a film production in the Commonwealth, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. Total credits allowed for any biennium cannot exceed $10 million.
So basically, film production companies get a break on their Virginia income tax if they film in Virginia. I'm assuming that many of these companies and the film production probably wouldn't be located in Virginia without this enticement.
The bill appears to have passed the State Senate by a vote of 40-0.
'"I would love to meet Chole Sevigny! I have been a big fan of hers since her movie ââ?¬Å?Last Days of Disco”'
Hey Gasbag,
Did you happen to catch her in "Brown Bunny"? She certainly did quite a good "job" there.
Ms Spacek has attempted to keep a low profile in our town, at the same time, stepping forward to support numerous local charity causes. I admire her willingness to support this state wide effort, at a time, when the economy could certainly use a boost, and movies are still moneymakers.
Celeb Wanted ! correction make that 5 state parks slated to close
add to list above:
Staunton River Battlefield Park in Halifax and Charlotte counties.
Yes they are.....innocuous.