Thursday, June 4, 2009

Lawmakers debate limits to Michigan film incentives

Michigan upstaged 28 other states competing for Hollywood's attention when lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved tax refunds as high as 42 percent on production costs for motion pictures shot here.

It certainly got Clint Eastwood's attention. His acclaimed "Gran Torino" was one of the 28 movies produced mostly in Michigan last year, up from three films shot here in 2007.

The euphoria over Michigan's flirtation with cinema stars may not last long, however, amid budget woes as high as $2 billion and a projection that film-related rebates could sap $150 million from next year's state tax collections.

To read the full article, click here.