11-13-08. MOMMA's 2009 Legislative Agena includes:
- Eliminate the three year reporting requirement for film tax credits. The extremely transient nature of the industry makes this impossible to enforce. Once production is wrapped and all required paperwork has been submitted, there is no compelling reason for an extended reporting period.
- Create a plan for workforce development. Ours is an industry with great growth potential, but we need to assure that we have not just a first string, but a solid second and third string in each city. Trained, experienced people are critical if we are going to bring in additional production.
- Raise the cap from 4.5 million to 10 million.
- Retain the tax credit percentage at 35%
- Make it clear that salaries up to one million count toward tax credit. The way the statute is currently written, if a salary goes over one million by even one dollar the tax credit does not apply to any of the salary.
- Assure that our industry in Missouri AND industry members outside of Missouri are communicating with our legislators about the importance of a strong incentive program.
4-09-08 The Senate appropriations committee moved funding for the Film Office to the state Division of Tourism budget and allotted $250,000. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Please write your state Senator today and let him or her know how important this funding is to you and that it is also important to assure that the Film Office has a continued and consistent funding.
4-01-08 Pedal to the metal folks. HB 2003 - the higher education bill, includes a $250,000 appropriation for the MO Film Office through the University of Missouri (the Film office was relocated to the MU Campus 3 years ago but the budget was cut to just $150,000). Everyone who has expressed concern over the Film Office's inability to respond in a timely manner to calls or requests due to inadequate staffing, needs to send a letter to their state representative and senator TODAY! Simply tell them that you work in the film industry in Missouri and that the state Film Office is important to you. Let them know you appreciate their past support and ask them to continue to support the Missouri film industry. Don't wait. Do it today. The five minutes it takes to compose that brief letter could make the difference! Go to "Find your Legislator" in the pull down menu under "Legislative" in the menu bar at the top of the page.
3-13-08 House Representative Ed Robb, R-Columbia, has been an exceptional advocate for Missouri Film. As I write this, Representative Robb is steering a bill to increase funding for the State Film Office through the legislature. HB 2003 will go on the Senate hearing calendar late this afternoon or tomorrow. NOW is the time we need every film and digital media professional in the state to write (not email) their state senator and let them know: 1) That you work in the industry 2) What you do in the industry 3) How important funding for the state Film Office is to Missouri's film and digital media industry. 4) How much you appreciate their support for HB 2003 which will give the state Film Office much needed support. 5) that the proper administration of the film tax credit and the benefit Missouri can derive from it, will not be possible without an adeqately funded state Film Office. We URGE you to take a few minutes of your time to write today. A united voice can work miracles. Go to the Legislative menu at the top of the page and click on "find your legislators." Then write your state senator.
2-20-08 We want to emphasize how important it is for our industry members to write their legislators and tell them how critical adequate funding for the film office is to the success of the increased film tax credit and our ability to bring new production into our state . Without adequate funding, the Film Office's hands are tied. Two people and $150,000 was not sufficient to handle the calls, scouting, planning, paperwork and follow-up necessary and certainly isn't sufficient now that the tax credit has tripled. We urge you to take a moment, today, to write your area legislators. Tell them about what you do and let them know that the efforts of the state film office impact your business. To find your legislator go to the headers at the top of this page and click on "Legislative," then click on "Find your Legislator."
1-16-08 Funding for the Missouri Film Office was not included as a line item in the Governor's budget. Discussions regarding maintaining the Film Office budget through the next fiscal year have begun and we will keep you posted on progress. Please check this space often.
EACH ONE REACH ONE - LEGISLATOR - November 19, 2007
Take a moment today to write a personal note to your state legislator and thank him or her for the passage of the Film Tax Credit legislation which raised the state film tax credit from $1.5 million to $4.5 million. Let your legislator know that your job depends on the health of Missouri's film and digital media industry. Please also thank them for their support of the Missouri Film Office. If each person reading this sits down and writes a few lines to their legislators, the impact will be enormous. E-mail does not have the impact of typed or handwritten note. For many years, our industry has been silent. Let that no longer be the case! Take 5 minutes today to send your legislator a note of appreciation.