Film incentive rules approved by legislature

LANSING (AP) -- Movie and film companies that hire Michigan workers and base more of their operations in the state would get better incentives under a new program approved by the state legislature. The bills won final legislative approval last Thursday with a 35-3 vote in the Senate and a 92-15 vote in the House. The measure advances to Gov. Rick Snyder. The measure sets up some guidelines for dividing up the $25 million available for state film and movie incentives in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The incentives aren't as lucrative as the 42 percent subsidy previously received by companies working in Michigan. But supporters of the legislation say incentives would be competitive. Incentives would be higher for productions that spend more on Michigan personnel and use in-state studios. Published: Mon, Dec 19, 2011