In defense of film tax incentives

Re “When will states get smart and stop subsidizing movies?” Opinion, Aug. 13

Any effort to minimize the tremendous benefits the film industry bestows upon communities throughout the country must be met with skepticism and further examination.

Numerous states, as well as nations, have found that production tax incentives create jobs and diversify and stimulate their economies. From Georgia to New York and California, from Canada to Australia and many other jurisdictions, political leaders continue to support these proven job creators.

The right-wing Manhattan Institute’s agenda is consistently opposed to public-private partnerships, so it’s no surprise it has taken aim at the motion picture and television business.

The fact is that the partnership between the industry and the states has produced tremendous results. As of 2015, the industry supported 2 million jobs and $134 billion in total wages and also generated $19.9 billion in public revenues from sales taxes on goods and taxes at the state and federal level, based on direct employment in the industry.

While there are a handful of examples where incentives have not been successful, Steven Malanga fails to account for the global competitive landscape for motion picture and television production. Vans Stevenson

Washington The writer is senior vice president of state government affairs for the Motion Picture Assn. of America.