No tax breaks for pervs – pol

ALBANY — Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s former company got more than $400,000 in state tax credits — and a New York lawmaker says it’s time to stop rewarding companies that turn a blind eye to sexual harassment.

The Weinstein Co., which Weinstein co-founded, has gotten at least $426,500 in New York State film-production tax credits since 2011, according to a ProPublica database.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) said she plans to introduce legislation to require companies seeking tax credits to disclose sexual-harassment complaints or settlements over the past five years.

Under the legislation, companies found to have poor records dealing with sexual harassment would be denied the credits.

“This is to hold companies accountable,” Rosenthal said, adding the state should also look into clawing back any credits given to Weinstein’s company.

Cuomo spokeswoman Dani Lever said Sunday: “We support this reform and look forward to working with Assembly member Rosenthal to make this a reality.”

Intended to make New York a more attractive filming location, the program offers refundable tax credits for production costs incurred while operating in the state. It costs taxpayers $420 million annually.

A spokesman for Empire State Development, which oversees the program, defended the awarding of credits to Weinstein’s company.

“We don’t pick and choose which one gets credits,” the spokesman said.

Cuomo first said he’d donate only the $50,000 Weinstein gave his campaign in the past year, then, amid criticism, said he’d donate all money contributed since 2006 — more than $61,000.

A state GOP spokeswoman slammed Cuomo over the credits.

“The governor’s insidious cycle of doling out tax breaks to his wealthy donors is bad enough on its face, but it’s outrageous taxpayers were forced to subsidize this creep,” said GOP spokeswoman Jessica Proud.

Lever shot back that state GOP Chairman Ed Cox continues to support President Trump despite past sexist comments and claims of sexual abuse from women during last year’s campaign.

“Ed Cox and his cronies can either support (Rosenthal’s legislation) or continue to give cover to corporations the same way they protect a President who thinks it’s OK to assault women and has actively worked to cut off access to birth control and roll back hard-fought protections to prevent sexual assault on college campuses.”