[NEohioPAL] THE TRUTH Re: Strickland VETOES Film Investor Tax Credit Bill. Sendhim this letter!

[Jean Zarzour]

Jean ZarzourDear Ohioans-  A few days ago I wrote you with news that 
Governor Strickland vetoed a bill that would offer Tax Credits to Film 
Investors/Producers who want to film in Ohio.  After speaking to Ivan 
Schwarz, Executive Director/Greater Cleveland Film Commission and 
corresponding with Governor Strickland's office, I discovered that the story 
I was told is not true!

The Ohio Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit Bill has not even been voted on 
yet, yet alone vetoed by the Governor.

That's great news.

After discovering the truth, I emailed the Governor with my apology for 
sending my protest letter.  I've included it again below. Other than the 
obvious untruth about the bill being vetoed, everything else in that letter 
is still true. We stand to benefit in the millions if we offer film makers 
this tax incentive.

Below is Governor Strickland's reply to my apology in which he recommends 
that we contact our State Senator and Representative, by calling the Ohio 
Senate Clerk at (614) 466-4900 and the Ohio House of Representatives Clerk 
at (614) 466-3357 to express our views about the bill.

As sorry as I am for forwarding bogus information, I'm very glad that the 
subject came up while there is still time to voice our ideas, hopes and 
concerns.

All my best-

Jean Zarzour



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Governor Reply
To: Jean Zarzour
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 3:43 PM


Dear Ms. Zarzour:



            Thank you for writing with regard to Motion Picture Investor Tax 
Credit Bill.  I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns and 
opinions with me.

           At this time, there is legislation pending before Ohio’s 127th 
General Assembly having to do with this issue, namely House Bill 196. 
Please be assured I will be mindful of the views you expressed.  I also 
encourage you and your friends to communicate your views with your 
legislators as bills before the General Assembly are reviewed by your State 
Senator and Representative.



If you would like to contact your State Senator and Representative, you may 
call the Ohio Senate Clerk at (614) 466-4900 and the Ohio House of 
Representatives Clerk at (614) 466-3357.



            Once again, I appreciate your writing to me.  Please do not 
hesitate to contact my office if we can assist you in the future.





Sincerely,




Ted Strickland

       Governor



77 South High Street

30th Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

(614) 644-4357 Constituent Hotline

(614) 466-9354 fax

Contact the Governor, click here.






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  Dear Governor Strickland:

  I am shocked and saddened to learn that you recently vetoed the Ohio 
Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit bill.

  As a professional, union actor, I cannot understand why you put the state 
of Ohio in this detrimental position while our neighbors in Pennsylvania and 
Michigan--and indeed nearly every other state in the continental U.S.--all 
currently have tax incentive legislation in place, and are reaping many 
millions of dollars from ongoing and future film productions.

  Governor Strickland, sir, what were you thinking? This bill required the 
state of Ohio to spend no money. All that was necessary was for the 
legislation to be enacted into law and the filmmakers--both major studio 
producers and independent production companies--would have come. Ohio has a 
wealth of potential film locations, both urban and rural, that are begging 
to be utilized. Additionally, as you surely recall, Ivan Schwarz, director 
of the Cleveland Film Commission has stated in numerous articles and 
interviews that Nehst Productions of New York City (which produced the 
highly regarded and profitable films "Sling Blade" and "You Can Count on 
Me") was ready, willing and able to relocate its corporate headquarters and 
production facilities to Cleveland which would have brought in approximately 
$150 million in business to our state (and would have generated a 
significant amount of corporate taxes, to say nothing of the tax revenue 
from the wages earned by the actors, production and support personnel on 
their projects), if only the Investor Tax Credit bill had been passed. As of 
this moment, the company is filming in Detroit, but, despite your veto, they 
are still more than willing to consider coming to Cleveland if the Investor 
Tax Credit bill eventually becomes law.

  If you are really serious about reviving our state's sagging economy, 
bringing new revenue and jobs (which also includes supporting union 
members!) and halting population decline, you owe it to every Ohio citizen 
to seriously reconsider your position on this vital piece of legislation.

  Sincerely, 
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