Actor: Film Tax Incentive Limit Would Be Devastating

LANSING (WWJ) - State Senator Mike Kowal held hearings this week to get a sense of how the film incentive tax breaks helped the economy. The hearing was held at Raleigh Studios in Pontiac.

Among the members of metro Detroit's film community in attendance was actor Peter Carey,  a 30-year member of the Screen Actors Guild. He said the those incentives helped the state in a big way.

"It was incredible because for years, I had to go out to Hollywood or Chicago or other big stages where the work was... you have to chase the work," Carey said. "And I've done that for so many years of my life, that when it was actually hopeful that [the incentives] were coming here, it was incredible."

For Carey, there is no question what the film tax incentives have done for  Michigan's economy.

"To be in this building is absolutely wonderful because it's true, it's here, it's now. At the same time, I don't want to see the rug pulled out from underneath it because it would be heartbreaking, so devastating to so many people," Carey said.

Governor Rick Snyder proposed a limit of $25 million a year on incentives as part of his budget-savings plan. The state's current incentive program for filmmakers is not capped.