Film Makers Were Paid $17,142 for each of 2800 jobs

Michigan’s Film office reports blowing $48,000,000.00 of taxpayer dollars in 2008 for the first 10 months of the incentive program designed to bring Hollywood here the the Great Lake State.  This was for 2800 Jobs in that 10 month period.  A pretty hefty toll for 2800 part time jobs.  A pretty hefty payout when Michigan is foregoing fiscal responsibility, not cleaning up its own problems, and sucking up to the federal stimulus teat.

The Detroit Free Press notes: ( Its not just a lowly Michigan blogger adding this fact:)

“State economists have cautioned it is unlikely new economic activity generated by the program would offset the steep cost of providing the incentives.”

Alas… A fifth grader could have told us this, but we pay close to six figures for legislators to try the dress on, and even more for the executive spendthrift to put the pen to the charge slip.

I have chronicled the stupidity of the Michigan film credit in prior posts. (Reference the part about Virginia Commonwealth University study) Considering the state of affairs nationally, and particularly here in Michigan, it is time to review the need for such a credit, which like many other things that emanate from an over reaching government is wrong, and assigns taxpayer dollars to wasteful priorities.  Also, I can picture Teamster boss Bill Black following around the $20/hour coffee and donut gatherers with his hands in THEIR pockets, all while Michael Moore looks on.

I have said it before that Michigan can sell itself if given the opportunity.  We hardly need an expansive role by our state or national leaders in the way we manage our affairs.  Michigan has great natural resources which are not duplicated everywhere.  Business would flock to this state, and lay the foundation for the REAL recovery for the nation.. if the government would get the hell out of the way.  The very creation of new offices to hand out money, or to manage new spending mandates merely buys us that.. new offices to hand out money, or to manage new spending mandates.

Tags: Film Credit, jobs, Michigan