Just like last year, a bill that would bring back tax incentives for filmmakers got unanimous thumbs up from the Phoenix City Council today. The bill will be heard at the senate commerce committee Wednesday.
In 2006, the Kingdom with Jamie Foxx was filmed in Phoenix.
"It employed 1,400 Arizonans on the project in 9 months. It left over $39 million in the coffers of Arizona," said Harry Tate, former director of Arizona State Film Office.
The film tax credits that were in place expired. But now an Arizona lawmaker has proposed a bill that would bring back incentives.
"What the incentive will do is bring film production and TV production here," said Chris LaMont, founder of the Phoenix Film Festival.
The bill would allow refundable tax credits for film, documentaries, TV shows, commercials, even video games made in Arizona. Projects would require specific authorization.
Production companies would be required to spend at least a quarter of a million dollars in Arizona.
"It's the exact same bill we did last year," said LaMont.
So why would lawmakers go for it this year if they didn't go for it this year?
"Our economic times are always changing. Last year we didn't have as much money as we do this year," explained LaMont.
Some lawmakers have been leery of past tax breaks because of the potential for a loss of money to the state. Others argue the jobs created are temporary.
Arizona is among 11 states with no film tax incentives. City leaders supported similar legislation in the past, but state lawmakers did not approve it.
"If you look at Albuquerque and what they do getting the Avengers, they had more than $200 million spent last year in New Mexico."
"We think the way this legislation has been crafted, written, it will produce a positive return to the taxpayers and state on revenue expended," said Tate.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:40:39 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
Sunbathers this summer will find new sunscreen labels that are designed to make the products more effective and easier to use.
Sunbathers headed to the beach this summer will find new sunscreen labels on store shelves that are designed to make the products more effective and easier to use. But despite those long-awaited changes, many sunscreens...
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
If you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
If you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
