#NCSEN: Tillis goes Hollywood, backs $40 million in additional state incentives for film industry
During the recently-completed GOP primary for US Senate, speaker Thom Tillis told a fundraiser crowd in Wilmington he favored the retention of state incentives for studios shooting movies and TV shows in North Carolina. A few days later, several folks connected to Wilmington-based Screen Gems Studios dumped a pile of money into the Tillis for Senate campaign coffers.
For a while, there appeared to be some drama over whether the film incentives would survive the budget debate in Raleigh. Conservative groups loudly complained that the incentives were little more than corporate welfare that produced little to no benefit for the taxpayers.
But today, all of that appears to have been put to rest. Speaker Tillis came out in favor — today on the House floor — of $40 million in additional funding for film incentives for the upcoming budget year. It appears that with, um, some people, you DO get what you pay for.
Even Gov. Pat McCrory has admitted that the whole idea of film incentives needed to be re-thought. His commerce secretary, Sharon Decker, has gone on record saying the incentives would be back — in some form.
A new message for the conservatives in NC, however it’s been around a long time ” If you can’t beat’em join them.
Toll roads, gay marriage, state exchange, Eugenics, Hollywood movie incentives, ah anyone know the difference between the R’s and D”s in this race?
Answer: A Stiff One!
Tillis hopes that it will get him elected to replace Hagan. He may not be as bad as her but who knows. They are all in it for the money. They are the chosen in their eyes.
It was very disappointing to see not only Speaker Tillis, but most of the Republican delgation from Mecklenburg, vote in favor of continuing incentives for one industry. How is this representative of Republican ideals? And at what cost to the taxpayers should we continue to fund one specific industry over any other?
Mr. Tillis really seems to be going out of his way to alienate those philosophically inclined towards limited government. Why come out publicly in favor of something when you know it’s not going to pass the Senate?
Exactly what government should not be doing. 🙁