Gov. Rick Snyder will decide whether to extend Michigan’s film credit program through 2021.
The incentives are currently set to expire in 2017. The state Senate gave final legislative approval to the extension Tuesday morning with bipartisan support.
“Hollywood loves it. They love the people that we have here,” said outgoing state Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, who has fought to keep the program intact for years.
“We need to build more careers rather than just jobs, and that’s why I’m hoping that the funding for this program continues for a long time.”
Richardville says Senate Bill 1103 does more than just extend the credits.
“If the film does successfully over a long period of time, then some of that money would now come back to Michigan,” he said. “We would be able to tax the benefits that they get for years to come, which wasn’t the case before.”
The governor has questioned whether the film credits create enough jobs to justify their cost.
“Gov. Snyder in general looks to ways other than tax incentives to attract and retain businesses in Michigan,” said Dave Murray, a spokesperson for Snyder. “But he is always willing to work with our partners in the Legislature and will thoroughly review the bill should it be sent to his desk.
