Controversy over film tax credits in Mississippi

Seems rational minds have a voice in Mississippi.

Mississippi has capped their total film industry welfare at $20 million---roughly 1/10th of what we give away--and the critics of the welfare are rightfully outraged.

LINK

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“These type of taxpayer-funded privileges lead to a number of chain reactions in the economy,” Mitchell said. “They force everyone to pay higher taxes, because when a group seeks a privilege, it’s never the last time they ask for a privilege. They build a more sophisticated political arm designed to secure more privileges. It means capital flows to a politically connected few rather than the group that can pass the market test of satisfying demand at the lowest possible cost.”

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But it hasn’t come cheaply.

Lousteau estimates the facility has received $8 million in upgrades since its opening and is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars in maintenance per month.

“I think these politicians just get stars in their eyes,” Lousteau said. “Most of that money goes out of state. If you go over to the studio, you’d see all of the tags from out of state. I love the movie industry and I wish it could be bigger in this state, but it just ain’t going to happen.”

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I wish there was a watch dog group in Louisiana.