Town Hall Meeting To Focus On Film

TROY (WWJ) - Movie industry insiders are mapping out their strategy to fight Governor Rick Snyder's proposal to "cap" Michigan's film tax credits.

Michigan Production Studios owner Anne Keeble tells WWJ Newsradio 950 hundreds are expected to pack the Troy Marriott for Thursday evening's Town Hall meeting.

Keeble says the film incentives are only part of what convinces movie makers to set up shop in Michigan.

"Once they get here, they've actually fallen in love with the state.  They like the lighting that we have here... I mean, the natural light of the sky. We have not as much pollution as we have out in L.A.," she said.

"They like the economics of working here, being able to deal with the restaurants. They're very impressed with the friendliness of the Midwesterners," Keeble said.

In his budget presentation, Governor Snyder said the tax credits are "unsustainable," while supporters say the incentives generate $6 for every dollar spent.

Keeble said her group is also organizing what's expected to be a huge rally at the state capital at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22.  Up to 20,000 people are expected to be bussed to the capital from all over the state to take part.

Meantime, supporters of the cause have unveiled a new website providing event updates and information as to which legislators are and are not on board.  For details, visit http://www.mi641.com/.