<div dir="ltr"><div><font face="Arial" size="2">Ohio is one of the few states without a film
production tax incentive. As such, we are losing potentially millions of dollars
a year to our neighbor states Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan, all of
which have generous incentives. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">In this morning's (Tuesday, 8/26) Plain Dealer is a
column about the fact that we may lose the entire production of "Torso" starring
Matt Damon since we do not have an incentive in place. <br></font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The article implies the bill is stalled because
some legislators say, "Hollywood is only liberals and Democrats,so why would
you want to bring them into the state?" </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Even if that statement is true, Hollywood liberals
and Democrats DON'T VOTE IN OHIO. However, their money is as green as Republican
dollars, which would pay for local carpenters, electricians, caterers, actors,
stylists, grips, gaffers, hotels, meals in restaurants, etc., etc.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">We need to get behind the passage of House Bill 196
to compete effectively for film production, or risk being completely ignored by
the production companies. Contact your State Representative today and ask why HB
196 sits motionless, preventing production money from flowing into our State and
employing our production community. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Sincerely,</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Mike Kraft</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">President, Cleveland AFTRA Local</font></div>
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