Patton Wins Senate Support for a Motion Picture Tax Credit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Patton Wins Senate Support for a Motion Picture Tax Credit

Patton: Incentive could mean 1,500 new jobs for Cleveland immediately and more to come

Columbus – State Senator Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) today won Senate support for House Bill 196, legislation that would establish a state tax credit to encourage the production of motion pictures in Ohio and to bring all the jobs and economic activity that come with them.

Introduced by Senator Patton while a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, HB 196 would provide for a 25 percent, transferrable income tax credit for productions that have a budget of more than $300,000. The credit would be limited to only the first $100 million spent on production costs in Ohio.

“We are talking about ensuring Ohio can compete for jobs in a $60 billion industry at a time when our economy is slow and people are out of work,” Patton said. “Swift passage of this bill is essential for Cleveland, as our ability to attract a film production company and 1,500 jobs depends on it. This is an investment we can’t afford to wait on.”

The New York film production company Nehst has agreed to relocate their headquarters to the vacant Cleveland Convention Center should HB 196 be signed into law. However, the bill will give communities across the state a better ability to market their areas to film companies looking for locations. Currently, Ohio is just one of a handful of states that lack any type of incentives for the film industry.

Senator Patton’s proposed legislation has earned the support of the Cleveland Film Commission, Cincinnati Film Commission and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Having passed the Senate by a vote of 21 to 11, the bill now goes to Governor Strickland.

Maggie Ostrowski
Communications Director
Senate Majority Caucus

Rm. 205 Statehouse
Columbus, Ohio 43215