Dave Fantle is optimistic about changes for Wisconsin’s chances of having the state’s severely curtailed filmmakers tax credits restored in the legislative session that begins in January.
Republican Governor-elect Scott Walker said during the election that he favored raising the $500,000 cap that Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle had imposed on the tax credit last year.
“Film Wisconsin is obviously encouraged by his response,” says Fantle, board chair of the embattled de facto Film Wisconsin.
“We look forward to working with Walker’s staff and key lawmakers to restore the film, television and video gaming tax credits so we can create jobs and bring greater economic impact to Wisconsin.
“It’s a little too early to say much as the key legislative players have just been named. We have a lot of friends in both parties who want to restore the credits.”
After Wisconsin’s film commission was dissolved in 2005, industry advocates launched the public/private partnership Film Wisconsin to advocate for an incentive. In 2006, the legislature passed a highly competitive 25% production credit and 15% infrastructure credit.
In the credits’ first year in effect, 2008, Wisconsin attracted eight major features, including portions of Michael Mann’s blockbuster Johnny Depp-starring John Dillinger biopic “Public Enemies,” plus 16 TV series and three national commercials.
“Public Enemies” reportedly received $4.6 million in credits against just $5 million in spending, meaning Wisconsin taxpayers effectively covered 92% of the film’s in-state production costs.
In response to outcry over the payout, Wisconsin lawmakers proposed a $1.5 million annual cap on credits. In June 2009, Doyle used his veto authority to reduce the cap to $500,000. Production has dropped off precipitously since then.
During the just-concluded election, VISIT Milwaukee, the city’s convention and tourism bureau where Fantle is VP for PR, issued a questionnaire to gubernatorial candidates, to which Walker responded in part:
