Wisconsin catapulted to the top tier of the most film friendly states March 31 when the Legislative Joint Finance Committee voted 15-1 to approve the Film Wisconsin tax credit incentive bill.
The next step for the bill is approval from the full senate and the full assembly when they next convene, reportedly at the end of April.
Once approved by both houses, the bill will go to Governor Jim Doyle for his signature, which he indicated he will sign.
A last minute amendment to the bill would make the incentives effective as of July 1, 2007.
When enacted, Wisconsin could immediately realize $30 million worth of business, as producers of “potential projects expressed interest in working in Wisconsin, provided the incentives become law,” said Scott Robbe, Film Wisconsin task force member and Madison filmmaker.
Meanwhile, creative solutions will be explored to attract productions to the state prior to that date so as not to jeopardize the business.
“We plan to forge private/public partnerships and work with these production companies on a project-by-project basis to develop desirable incentives and win these productions to Wisconsin prior to July 2007,” Robbe stated.
Statewide support for the legislation has been most gratifying, said George Tzougros, executive director of the Wisconsin Arts Board in Madison and a Film Wisconsin Task Force member. He praised sponsors Sen. Ted Kanavas and Rep. Curt Gielow for their leadership in the bi-partisan, statewide support.
“We also must thank film, hospitality and tourism, business and other creative industry partners for their active work to educate the members of the legislature on the economic benefits of this bill, added Tzougros.”
Scott Robbe, of Mondo Productions, can be reached at 608/271-8755 or 608/338.6665.
