Friday, October 31, 2014

'Batman vs. Superman' Swings Super Subsidy Deals from Multiple States

'Batman vs. Superman' Swings Super Subsidy Deals from Multiple States [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
The mainstream media’s infatuation with the state-subsidized “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” movie production reached new heights this week following reports from an anonymous blogger who posted photos of filming in East Lansing and Detroit.
What hasn’t been in the media’s viewfinder is that the production may be collecting subsidies not just from Michigan but also from other states. 
...In addition to the $35 million the film’s producers have been approved to collect from Michigan taxpayers, Batman vs. Superman may also get subsidies from Illinois and New Mexico.
....Rather than tax credits, Michigan offers film producers straightforward cash subsidies.
Batman vs. Superman was approved for up to $35 million from the state, based on spending an estimated $131 million here.
The subsidy can cover up to 32 percent of the producer’s expenses here, which makes it one of the most generous in the country.
...Since the Legislature approved film subsidies in a bipartisan 2008 vote, Michigan has spent $500 million on the program. 
Yet today the state has fewer film industry jobs than it did before the subsidies.

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