Expect lawmakers to once again seek to take money from your pocket and hand it over to Hollywood producers in the name of “economic development.” They want to follow the lead of Michigan, New Mexico and California in kissing up to the movie industry… Never mind those states are all in economic shambles, precisely because of such fiscally reckless endeavors.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Gov. Perry will push a $40 million subsidy package that would pay-off billionaires if they send starlets to make films in Texas. Just what Texas needs: more Hollywood liberals trying to remake our state in California’s image.
Last legislative session saw lawmakers give away your money to the tune of five percent of what movie producers spend in Texas. A spokesman for State Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) says he wants to “up that a little bit” in this next Session.
The Houston Chronicle might pine for a time when “producers and well-known actors regularly traipsed into Texas to shoot feature films. In Austin, it was common to run into crews filming on downtown streets.” The good ol’ days: when traffic stood still so actors could get a latte between takes.
“The reality is, business has been pretty bad,” said Bob Hudgins, director of the Texas Film Commission in the governor’s office. “To say we’re getting slammed is kind of an understatement at this point.”
Slammed? Real Texas businesses (the kind that run without bailouts and handouts) seems to be doing pretty well. We’re the only state showing consistent private-sector job growth, and our unemployment rate is down-right rosy compared to the rest of the nation.
Taxpayers should tell legislators to keep this picture show closed.
