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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Wilson Park |
State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood |
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Youngblood measure to assist nonprofits and charities passes House
HARRISBURG, July 9 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently approved an amendment authored by Rep. Youngblood, D-Phila., to assist the Commonwealth’s nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Youngblood offered an amendment to S.B. 97 which is designed to provide tax credits and incentives to Pennsylvania’s film production industry. Youngblood’s amendment would require that the film company direct up to 10 percent of those credits to an eligible non-profit organization or charity.
“Approximately 11 to 15 percent of Pennsylvanians or nearly 650,000 residents are employed in the non-profit sector and working in our communities for their betterment,” Youngblood said. “Too often, nonprofits do not have the dollars or people they need to meet so many needs and this legislation is a mechanism to infuse more resources to these important organizations.”
Pennsylvania's film industry generated $218 million in 2004 and $249 million in 2005. More than 5,600 state residents earned $168 million in wages working on films between 1992 and 2003.
According to some experts, filmmakers are ready to spend about $500 million by the end of the year to make movies in Pennsylvania, if the tax credit program is enacted.
“My amendment allows the state to assist both the film industry and the nonprofit sector,” Youngblood said. “As a result, we can make Pennsylvania more attractive to movie makers and improve the quality of life in the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania’s charitable organizations are a major economic force across Pennsylvania. According to published reports, the nonprofit sector accounts for almost as large a share of Pennsylvania’s total private employment in rural areas as it does in urbanized ones.
“Nearly 250,000 nonprofit employees comprise over 15 percent of the workforce in the Philadelphia Metropolitan region; while nonprofit workers comprise nearly 13 percent of the workforce in Altoona,” Youngblood said. “For-profit employers are frequently relocating across the nation or overseas.
“Nonprofits have operated in Pennsylvania communities for over a century and are committed to serving our communities in the future.”
Under the amendment, the film company would be able to provide a direct donation, provide in-kind services or assist with a fundraiser.
The House adopted the amendment by a 122-75 vote with strong bipartisan support.
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