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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland |
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Kirkland disappointed in film tax credit reduction in state budget
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-Delaware, said a $33 million reduction in the 2009-10 state budget to the state's Film Tax Credit Program is a significant cut that will hurt Pennsylvania's economy.
Kirkland, chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, said the state's Film Production Tax Credit has been reduced to $42 million, down from the $75 million that had been allocated in previous state budgets.
The state's Film Production Tax Credit offers incentives to film companies that spend at least 60 percent of their production expenses in Pennsylvania.
"The film tax credit is an investment in Pennsylvania's economy," Kirkland said. "By attracting film companies to our state, we create hundreds of jobs and the people who fill those jobs spend their money at our businesses. The Senate and the governor should have reconsidered making the cuts to the film tax credit program because of the support it gives to the tourism industry."
Kirkland said that the General Assembly needs to revisit this issue and said he will work toward this end.
The Delaware County lawmaker said he voted for the budget because it continues progress towards Pennsylvania's commitment to school funding.
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