Results 401 to 500 of 817

Capitalism: A Muddled Hatchet Job

… In some ways Moore's newest film, "Capitalism: A Love Story," … exponent, Adam Smith. So Moore's film needs a new title. Perhaps … does happen). Eventually the film drifts leftward, criticizing … will expand on the theme with films about the excesses of non-capitalist … Moore's worldview. Before the film was released Moore wrote, "The …

Hangar42 Studios' Incentives Raise Questions

… and officials at the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Economic … principals went unreturned. Michigan Film Office spokesman Ken Droz eventually … deal involves the Michigan Film Incentive program, created … investment made in a "qualified film and digital media infrastructure … of money involved in these film subsidy deals, combined with …

Hangar42 Studios' Incentives Raise Questions

… and officials at the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Economic … principals went unreturned. Michigan Film Office spokesman Ken Droz eventually … deal involves the Michigan Film Incentive program, created … investment made in a "qualified film and digital media infrastructure … of money involved in these film subsidy deals, combined with …

Why Do Michigan’s Failed Economic Programs Stick Around?

… discussions on the Michigan film incentive highlight the importance … every $1 in taxes generated by film activity, deflating a hope of film incentive supporters that the … they expect a Michigan-based film industry, but two years after … argue that given enough time, film producers will stay in the …

Why Do Michigan’s Failed Economic Programs Stick Around?

… discussions on the Michigan film incentive highlight the importance … every $1 in taxes generated by film activity, deflating a hope of film incentive supporters that the … they expect a Michigan-based film industry, but two years after … argue that given enough time, film producers will stay in the …

Why Do Michigan’s Failed Economic Programs Stick Around?

… Recent discussions on Michigan film subsidies highlight the importance … every $1 in taxes generated by film activity, deflating a hope of film incentive supporters that the … they expect a Michigan-based film industry, but two years after … argue that given enough time, film producers will stay in the …

State Lawmakers Invite a Local Emergency Manager by Disregarding Michigan’s History

… Legislature’s ill-conceived Michigan Film Incentive. This program has … rebates and huge subsidies to film productions and film studios located in Michigan. … programs like the Michigan Film Incentive. Only brazen judicial … limited the size of the Michigan Film Incentive payouts and restricted …

‘Won’t Back Down’ Triggers Petty Responses

… dramas — a genuine dramatic film with extremely high production … has been written about the film’s supposed bashing of teachers … concomitant intimidation of the film’s stars and rest on their respective … mechanism — wrote last week: “This film demonstrates that a new, better … not only the students of the film’s Adams Elementary in Pittsburgh …

MEDC Boss Says Agency Changing; Has Long History of Backing Bad Companies

A look back at five MEDC-backed failures

… the attention that comes with film subsidies is from the media … Hollywood to claim $1.8 million in film incentives to do post-production work in 2011 after filming was done on the movie Spy … Company in 2011 and the Michigan Film Office trumpeted the deal in … Bankruptcy Speedshape: Another Film Subsidy Failure

Politically Correct Capitalism

Is your business loved or spurned by Lansing?

… percent refundable tax credit for film production that takes place … special tax breaks. Last year, film production companies used this … State University review of the film incentive program estimates that the film crews brought in economic activity … 2007, the year before these film tax credits were in place, …

Inconvenient Truths Disappear Down Government ‘Memory Holes’

… the praises of the Michigan Film Office and a Birch Run restaurant … “Oink Joint.” Used in a feature film subsidized by Michigan taxpayers, … Michigan’s highly controversial film subsidy for Hollywood producers. … Governing story was published, the Film Office was still boasting of … trusting the details on the Film Office website before writing …

Trim Corporate Welfare to $0

… million). There also is a film office line item worth less … administration of the state's film subsidy program. The program … has proposed $25 million in film subsidies, a 50 percent cut … the General Fund. Michigan Film Office (Administration) $883,700 … the state’s Michigan-based film promotion efforts. The $234,900 …

We're Not in Kansas Any More

Why "Avatar" fails as environmentalist propaganda

… t conservative reviewers of James Cameron’s new film “Avatar” have been strongly negative, to the point … that many other conservative reviewers panned the film for was bearable. Or maybe I was just distracted … helpfully points out to his mercenaries early in the film: “You are not in Kansas any more. You are on Pandora.” …

Noteworthy news that you may have missed this week…

… tax credit. The Mackinac Center, a critic of the film subsidy program, originally broke the story about … but three legislators voted 'yes' to launch the film subsidy adventure back in 2008." ...And MLive … that more transparency is needed for the Michigan Film Office and its tax credits. Mackinac Center - …

MichiganVotes.org July 9 Weekly Roll Call Report

… of interest: 2010 Senate Bill 1405 (Require more film subsidy application records disclosure) Introduced … Cassis (R) on June 24, 2010, to require the Michigan film office send a copy of each application for a film tax break or subsidy and all of the information …

I'm Just a Bill

… of the region. HOUSE BILL 6285 Narrow allowable film subsidy secrecy Introduced by state Rep. Dave … Freedom of Information Act exemption in the state film subsidy law. Under current law the state Film Office can keep secret information, records or …

"Nicky's Family"

The inspiring story of Sir Nicholas Winton

… spent 96 mesmerizing minutes viewing the latest film release of the story of Sir Nicholas Winton at the Detroit Film Theatre within the Detroit Institute of Arts complex. … learning of Nicky’s actions for the first time. The film shares the story of 1939 in clips and through interviews …

Mackinac Center Events

… and students attended a private screening of the film “Little Pink House,” held by the Mackinac Center at Hillsdale College. The compelling film, based on the life of Susette Kelo, tells the story … the court of public opinion. As evident by the film, her story to fight for her property continues …

Celebrating the Spirit of Enterprise and a Famous Camera

… remembering.  It was 100 years ago, in February 1900, that George Eastman first introduced the Kodak Brownie box camera.  The price was one dollar; film was 15 cents a roll.  For the first time, taking pictures was within the reach of almost every American family.  The Brownie inaugurated the era of …

Protecting Art From Politicians

… Michigan subsidizes the Ann Arbor Film Festival through the Michigan Council … described in the AAFF brochure as a "film (which contains graphic sexuality) … director’s months in the United States filmed while she was marketing a previous … [expletive deleted] in New York." Films shown in previous years at the AAFF …

MEDC Ineffective, Nontransparent and Should Be Eliminated, According to New Mackinac Center Study

In Michigan counties, every $1 million in MEGA tax credits awarded for manufacturing was associated with loss of 95 manufacturing jobs, report finds

… The study also examines the Michigan Film Office, its film incentive program, one component of … Authority.   Eliminate the Michigan Film Incentive. If the Legislature insists … companies.   Prevent the use of the Michigan Film Incentive’s refundable tax credit until …

Center Cited on Jobs (or Lack Thereof)

… Columnist George Weeks, writing in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, cited several statistics from the study, including the failure of the Michigan film incentive and the growing lack of transparency at the MEDC over time. LaFaive also was quoted by the Livingston Daily in a story that says Michigan …

"Larry the Liquidator" on Senate Bill 1174

… economy and, God forbid, even make a few bucks for yourselves." This speech is from "Other People's Money," considered by some to be capitalism's finest film. "Predatory" investor "Larry the Liquidator's" (Danny DeVito) explains to shareholders considering a vote on a "hostile" takeover the virtue of encouraging …

"Larry the Liquidator" on Senate Bill 1174

… economy and, God forbid, even make a few bucks for yourselves." This speech is from "Other People's Money," considered by some to be capitalism's finest film. "Predatory" investor "Larry the Liquidator's" (Danny DeVito) explains to shareholders considering a vote on a "hostile" takeover the virtue of encouraging …

April 2 MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call Report

… interest: House Bill 5980 (Require film subsidy screen credits) Introduced … require movies shot with Michigan film production subsidies to place a "filmed in Michigan using Michigan's film production financial incentive" statement …

'Why would investors allocate capital in a state that deprives them of their rights?'

… for the economy and, God forbid, even make a few bucks for yourselves." From "Other People's Money," considered by some to be capitalism's finest film.

Sunshine Week 2013

… to an end three forced unionization schemes in the last three years. Analysts have also doggedly pursued transparency to help taxpayers understand film subsidies, corporate welfare and how schools spend money. Here is a sampling of our watchdog efforts: Michigan Press Association and Mackinac Center …

Corporate Welfare a Continual Failure

Time for government to focus on the basics

… incentives for politicians and the coverage from the media, these “bold” government projects too often are the norm. In recent years, this has included film subsidies, MEDC select business deals focusing on “green energy” and the “cool cities” project. It even led one former legislator to say that the MEDC …

Educators Facing Off In Michigan's 59th House District

Superintendent Roger Rathburn vs. teacher Aaron Miller in the Republican primary

… also hand out $50 million per year in film credits. There has been a fight between … MEDC and would vote to eliminate the film subsidy program. “The state should … those subsidies more?” Regarding the film subsidy program, he added, “No, I do … Race Contrast Over Right-to-Work, Film Subsidies, Detroit Bailout In 31st …

Stances on Corporate Welfare a Difference In Michigan's 39th House Race

Rep. Klint Kesto vs. Deb O'Hagan

… Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), the film subsidy program, and the state prevailing … spends about $300 million, and the film incentive program, which spends $50 … going to affect them next.” On the film subsidy program, she added, “Subsidizing … Race Contrast Over Right-to-Work, Film Subsidies, Detroit Bailout In 31st …

Kansas City Star Boilermakers Investigation

… at least two officers. Union officers’ family members were on the payroll as well. The union even spent $43,000 to send Newton’s 23-year-old son to film school in British Columbia. The union also maintained a suite at the Kansas Speedway racetrack, which cost $40,000 per year.[25]

LaFaive Op-Ed Published in The Detroit News

Why Michigan shouldn't single out Switch for tax breaks

… a data storage company, to set up shop in the old Steelcase Pyramid Building in west Michigan. Citing past failed incentive programs, such as the film tax credits, LaFaive suggests an alternative to singling out Switch or other data companies: Any jobs or revenue predictions made by the state about …

Snyder Orders a State Economic 20 Year Plan

'Whereas, government can help ...'

… subsidies,’ similar to the Michigan film subsidies,” said Mark Perry, an economics … Statistics. Granholm stated that the film incentives law she signed in 2008 would … economic investment it creates.” But the film subsidy program was terminated in 2015. … billion dollars, Michigan had fewer film jobs in 2013 (1,561) than when the …

$600 Million? $700 Million? State Officials Guess On Annual Corporate Giveaways

Secret taxpayer handouts go to unnamed big companies and developers

… and electric car battery makers, developers of brownfield and historic preservation property, owners of property in a farmland preservation program, film producers, and businesses and individuals in renaissance zones.

Conclusion

… public dollars. The state would have likely been in a better position fiscally had it eliminated the ineffective Michigan Economic Growth Authority or film subsidy programs when analyses of them showed them having no positive impact on the state’s economy. It is particularly important given the birth of …

Some Perspective: Michigan is Stronger Now, Part 2

Our economy recovered and grew with less corporate welfare

… advanced battery tax credits, Michigan Film and Digital Media Incentive and the … tourism subsidy programs Michigan’s film incentive was created in 2008 and cost … was put down. The state had fewer film jobs in 2013 than 2018. The Legislature … Growth Authority and the Michigan film incentive program. At the same time, …

Whitmer Permits Fans At High School Sports While Tigers Play To Empty Stadium?

… issued June 25, “No live audiences are allowed, except for staff of the facility at which a sporting event is held and media personnel reporting on, filming, or otherwise documenting the sporting event.” These provisions suggest Michigan may see a fall sports season where high school football teams play …

Michigan Senate “Class Warfare” Exposes Ignorance of Small Business Realities

… side about the compensation of Hollywood producers benefitting from state film subsidies. That same senator voted for the economically absurd film subsidies. Read the various legislators' floor statements from this sad …

'Pirate Radio' Capsizes From Lack of Weight

… bureaucrats stymie a broadcast outlet for rock music in the mid-1960s. The film is set in the North Sea waters off the coast of England in 1966 and 1967, … of many songs that were released well after the 1966-67 timeframe - the film as a whole leaves a free-market, small-government advocate with little to …

Funding Questions Surround Hangar42 Studios Deal, According to Center Analyst

State officials mum on details surrounding possible $45 million project touted by Gov. Granholm in State of the State address

… Michael D. Jahr Senior Director of Communications  MIDLAND — Hangar42, a film studio  touted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in her State of the State address, … have gone unanswered, ignored or been rejected by officials at the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Economic Development Corp., said LaFaive, who worked …

Noteworthy News You May Have Missed This Week

… Hangar42 studio $10 million tax credit. The Mackinac Center, a critic of the film subsidy program, originally broke the story about this controversial tax credit and noted, "All but three legislators voted 'yes' to launch the film subsidy adventure back in 2008." MLive — Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Tom …

This Week In Michigan

… e - Hangar42 told contractors talking to media would 'kill the deal' for film incentives ...Walker reviews zoning regulations for controversial movie … Press - Questions surrounding Hangar42 may indicate "bigger concern" of film credits. Detroit News - Detroit should become the "Sam's Club" of cities. …

This Week In Michigan

… like a 'possible shady deal.' WTOL 11 - Rep. Robert Dean aide resigns over film flap. Grand Rapids Press - Attorney General Mike Cox subpoenas, searches state film office over Hangar42. Connect Mid-Michigan - Meanwhile, the MEA rallies …

MEGA Careful?

… in an "assignable" (saleable) business tax credit deal for the Hangar 42 film studio scheme in Grand Rapids. This subsidy was trumpeted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others as a victory for the state's film incentive program until the Mackinac Center broke the story by raising questions …

Mackinac Center Video: Gov. Granholm Boasts of Role in Forced Unionization of Home Day Care Workers

… Getting Yanked Attorney General Heeds Requests for Investigation of Embattled Film Studio Sorry — Your Film Office Success Story Was Not Found State Websites Give History a Rewrit …

Pocket Full of Kryptonite

'Waiting for Superman' has teachers unions hatching their own PR schemes

After a successful run at the Sundance Film Festival and openings in New York and Los Angeles, the documentary “Waiting for Superman” makes its Detroit-area debut this weekend at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. The film, which documents the failings of public school systems throughout the country, …

Budgets, Bargaining and Biofuels

… Aug. 19 Op-Ed for the Detroit Free Press about the failures of the Michigan film subsidy program. The Grand Rapids Press on Aug. 2 and WZZM TV13 in Grand … and millions of dollars in subsidies later, there were 10 percent fewer film-related jobs in Michigan than when the program started.

Unity Studios: Whose Unhappy Ending?

… from promising thousands of jobs at his privately owned utopian 104-acre film studio and “retraining program,” to a scaled down studio and film school on city-owned property, to near eviction and eventually hightailing …

Dems' Plan: Scale Back Select Corporate Tax Credits They Already Voted For

Do the same people who overwhelmingly supported these credits have the political will to go back and cut them?

… example, Democrats voted unanimously in the Senate to support the state's film subsidy program. Whitmer also voted ‘no’ on Senate Bill 773 in 2009, an … Confidential Coverage of the MEDC Cost to Replace Lost Jobs with Michigan Film Subsidies: $39.4 Billion Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing Its Own …

Lansing Builds a 'Scaffolding for Plunder'

GOP Representative supports

… when government escapes its proper limits. For example, had not a state film subsidy program skewed local government incentives, the city of Allen Park would never have taken on massive debt for a film studio whose collapse has brought the city to the edge of bankruptcy and …

Let Michigan Jobs "Bloom"

… million for “business attraction and economic gardening” and $50 million for a film incentive program. Rather than cripple the job creation he desires, Gov. … preferential tax treatment, using programs such as MEGA and the Michigan Film Incentive. Government cannot give money, however, to any person or organization …

'Special Interest' Campaign Rhetoric Doesn't Match With Reality

As a legislator, Mark Schauer voted to approve tax breaks and subsidies to plenty of favored businesses

… for one of the largest tax incentives the state has offered — the state's film tax credits program that has given movie production companies $213.8 million … also: CapCon Coverage of Corporate Welfare CapCon Coverage of the State Film Subsidy Program

How a Private Arts Festival Thrives

ArtPrize is in its ninth year

… when the government is in charge. For example, backers of Michigan’s failed film subsidy program claimed that sending hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire Hollywood film studios was “supporting the arts.” And patrons of museums and festivals …

Socialists at War

… — though embellished in the film — that has always begged for … Jean-Jacques Annaud conveys in this film. Other reviewers may dwell … what I liked most about the film was what it has to say about … moment came near the end of the film, just before a Soviet propagandist … bullet with that one. The film’s hero, Zaitsev, never utters …

Mandatory Phone Books and Filmmaker Welfare in the 'Harrison Bergeron' State

… businesses must exist. The film subsidy was created in 2008 … credit of up to 42 percent for film business done in Michigan. … dollar welfare subsidy, the film industry drains hundreds of … Huizenga discusses Michigan’s film subsidies Pew’s Non-Neutrality … Cost Not Shown $72 Million in Film Credits Not Reported by Film …

And the Academy Award Goes To ...

… masterpiece “On the Waterfront.” The film was nominated for 12 Academy … Movies, and among only 15 films in the “Values” category (the … government employees. The films of the World War II years championed … After 1952 many of Kazan’s films can be viewed as, alternately, … Commission. The remainder of the film depicts Terry’s eventual conclusion …

Nobody Knows Who Can Cook

… "Ratatouille," the new animated film by Disney/Pixar, is remarkably … unexpected sources. Unlike most films in which the hero is a talking … chef in Paris. Early in the film, Remy is displaced from the … human creativity as well. The film is visually stunning. From … is explored throughout the film and is finally illuminated …

Follow-Up MichiganVotes.org Dec. 3 Weekly Roll Call Report

… Senate Bill 796, Increase state film subsidy transparency, passed … disclosure requirements on state film subsidies. The Film Office would have to post twice-yearly … that disclose how much each film producer plans to spend in … of the expenses incurred by film producers in this state. Who …

Experts: Earthquakes, Water Usage Not Concerns With Fracking in Michigan

Part one: Natural gas extraction fears are largely overblown

… force against fracking. The film also was cited by the leader … most memorable part of the film is a man appearing to light … drilling. The director of the film knew that, but called it "not … objective reporters regard the film as misinformation." "[When … Siegal also criticized the film, noting that while "gas migration …

Here's Where the Candidates Stand In Michigan's 42nd House Race

Nick Fiani, Rich Perlberg, Dale Rogers and Lana Theis sound off

… Development Corp. (MEDC), the film subsidy program, and the state … moviemakers. Do you support the state film incentive program? Rogers: … absolutely do not support the state film incentive program. Warner Brothers … pick a random industry like films. “It is a foolish policy to … Contrast Over Right-to-Work, Film Subsidies, Detroit Bailout …

Mamet on the Money

… transition as early as 1997, when he released his film "The Edge." In "The Edge" screenplay, which Mamet … Alaskan wilderness. In almost any other Hollywood film, the wealthy man would be effete and require saving … scene Mamet added for the 1992 James Foley-directed film version of "Glengarry Glen Ross," which coincidentally …

GlobalWatt's the Deal?

… involving tax credits for a proposed West Michigan film studio. Like GlobalWatt, it was touted by the governor … State address: "And in Grand Rapids, it's Hangar42 Film Studios," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. "We uncovered … money that was claimed to have been invested in the film studio and the actual cost of the building," LaFaive …

Cut Corporate Welfare, Shift Money to Road Repair for Economic Growth

… state Legislature voted to eliminate the Michigan film incentive program. This program doled out subsidies to film productions in the Great Lake State. It has cost … commissioned a 2009 study purporting to show that the film incentive program was a “big hit,” and created …

September 30, 2016 MichiganVotes Weekly Roll Call Report

Sex! Crime! Hollywood! Uber! Oh boy!

… the 2015-2016 session. House Bill 4122, Repeal film producer subsidies: Passed 58 to 51 in the House … the program that gives Michigan tax dollars to film producers. Since 2008 some $500 million was distributed … “Yes” and Who Voted “No” House Bill 4122, Repeal film producer subsidies: Passed 24 to 13 in the Senate …

The Decline and Possible Return of Corporate Welfare in Michigan

… capital, alternative energy, “anchor companies,” film producers, high-tech firms, rural companies and … to go even further than the governor. Michigan’s film subsidies were the most lavish in the country, … roughly $500 million and creating no sustainable film industry in Michigan. Lawmakers eliminated this …

On Economic Development, Michigan Repeats MEGA Mistake

… 1980s. Our original, scholarly research on MEGA, film production tax credits, subsidies to promote tourism … but there was progress, too. In 2008 the state’s film incentive program was adopted 108-0 in the House … Cassis of Novi casting the only “no” vote. The film subsidy program would cost the state $500 million …

‘It’s focused on destroying credibility instead of dealing with facts’

Jarrett Skorup on persuasion in the political debate

… even bring it up. Skorup talks about Michigan’s film incentive as an example, which lawmakers created … was about feelings – in this case, anger. “[T]he film office gave a million dollars to Michael Moore to shoot a film here in Michigan,” Skorup says. “Republicans really …

House GOP Action Plan Points the Way to Real Reform

Repealing prevailing wage a top priority

… burden on its citizens. State Film Subsidy: “For fiscal year 2012, … two-year return on investment on film subsidies. The film subsidy program is a poor investment … in 2009, and there are fewer film jobs in the state overall than … payback of the subsidy if the film grosses over a certain box …

A Rebuttal to the MEDC's Wall Street Journal Letter Part II

… subsidies that are paid in the form of refundable tax credits. The state's film incentive program is a case in point. It writes checks drawn on the state treasury that are equal to as much as 42 percent of a film producer's expenditures in the state. Main's statement is also a misdirection …

Michael Moore’s Union Dilemma

… theaters nationwide tomorrow. I am reminded of the scene from Moore's 1989 film "Roger and Me" when Moore talks to factory workers through the windows of … Pittsburgh, prompting this Huffington Post headline: "Michael Moore's New Film Rocks AFL-CIO." Moore's own Web site features a video, in which he "rallies …

MEGA Careful?

… in an "assignable" (saleable) business tax credit deal for the Hangar 42 film studio scheme in Grand Rapids. This subsidy was trumpeted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others as a victory for the state's film incentive program until the Mackinac Center broke the story by raising questions …

Michael LaFaive, Ralph Nader: Separated at Birth?

… also oppose these giveaways have been cheerleaders for "their" governor's film producer subsidies, tax breaks for specific companies, and various other … cite Big Brother's famous flip-flop response from Orwell's "1984")? When "our" film producer subsidies become "theirs," for example, will the $125 million hole …

Governments Already Impose Hunger Games

… that this status quo will be challenged by our young protagonists in the film’s climax. But, even as the teens play by the government-established rules … rules, to the detriment of the contenders. For example, when it appears the film’s pouty-lipped heroine is insufficiently keen on disemboweling her opponents, …

Lighting Water On Fire? Gas In Water Supplies Existed Long Before Fracking

Part three: Main fear about process existed before hydraulic fracturing

… But experts say that those scenes, made popular by the wildly disingenuous film "Gasland," have nothing to do with the extraction process. Terry Engelder, a … State University said that "all reasonably objective reporters regard the film as misinformation." Anthony Ingraffea, a professor of engineering at Cornell …

CBS 'Battle Creek' Show Misses City's Real Police Drama

Don't blame taxpayers if Tasers don't work

… the show while they were in town for a weekend. (The program was actually filmed in California.) And last week the newspaper “fact checked” a CBS promo … when it comes to retirement and benefits.” ~~~~~ See also: Is Shooting a Film in Detroit Like 'Being in Prison'? TV Reality Check: 'NCIS' is All Wet …

Many Michigan Families Sacrifice for Choice

Documentary shows how Blaine Amendment limits education options

… featured in the new documentary "Big Sacrifices, Big Dreams." The 30-minute film looks at the anti-Catholic roots of so-called Blaine amendments — common … education options for their children. Produced by the Pioneer Institute, the film is slated to be released for the eighth edition of National School Choice …

Whitmer ‘Tired Of ... Corporate Tax Giveaways’ But Voted For Dozens

Don’t tell progressives, but Dem legislators are among corporate welfare's best friends in Lansing

… and electric car battery makers. And in 2008, Whitmer voted for a state film incentive program incentive program that eventually gave $500 million in … indefinitely, but the Legislature elected at the end of that year instead terminated film subsidies the following spring. During Whitmer’s tenure in the state House …

A Look At The State Budget for Business Subsidies

Old ideas get new taxpayer cash

… past eight years. After spending a half-billion taxpayer dollars on the film industry, the state no longer forks over cash for film productions. The state also no longer has programs for subsidizing battery …

Student Debaters To Study United Nations Peacekeeping Resolution at Annual Mackinac Center Workshops

… institute includes a variety of studies involving United Nations policies. Gregory Rehmke is a program director at Economic Thinking/E Pluribus Unum Films, a nonprofit organization in Seattle. He has spoken and written on each year’s national high school debate topic since the 1980s. This year’s debate …

MichiganScience Sponsors Writing Contest for Students

… example, Al Gore’s documentary is being shown in many classrooms throughout the state despite its scientific errors (see Mackinac Center review of the film at: https://www.mackinac.org/7787). Other aspects of popular culture depict scientifically accurate elements, such as the forensics in television programs …

Contest Winner Takes on Disney

“Little Mermaid” Exposed as Scientific Fallacy

… essay on the scientific errors in the film "The Day After Tomorrow," which depicted … Teacher: Cheryl Hach Giant Ants in the Film Them Aima Mori Grade 9 Troy Athens … Demorest Tornado Fallacies in the Film Twister Anthony Spalvieri-Kruse Grade … Cheryl Hach Fallacies in Undersea Films Helen Yang Grade 11 Troy High School, …

Applying economics to ed research

… Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Teacher Quality Primer," June 30, 2008 Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Special Effects: Flawed Report on Film Incentives Provides Distorted Lens," June 12, 2009

The Trend Toward — and Away From — Transparency

… the Freedom of Information Act. Still, it has become less forthcoming with information about the agency itself and about the high-profile Michigan Film Incentive subsidy, another economic development program under its supervision. [*] In a May 28, 2009, Detroit Free Press Op-Ed co-authored by economist …

Michigan Sets Another Dubious Record

… jobs with targeted tax credits or subsidies for select corporate beneficiaries under programs like the Michigan Economic Growth Authority or Michigan film incentives. This handing out fiscal favors almost willy nilly has dominated the state’s efforts to resuscitate its gasping economy. Initiatives like …

Dear Tax Raisers: Please Tell Us Where to Cut

… back on health care for the kids? Consume less food or clothing? Remove ourselves to meaner habitations? Eat out less? Take in fewer of the Hollywood films we're helping to bankroll? No doubt tax hike proponents will point to the need for tax revenues to pay for core government functions like police and …

Your Favorites: 2009

… viral video and the introduction of "The MC," the Center's new blog. Other popular items included the Center's ongoing investigation of Michigan's film subsidy program, education issues, property rights, the Michigan Legislature's overspending crisis, the environment and the creation of the Mackinac …

Employment Creation in Michigan Illustrates the Ineffectiveness of the State's Incentives

… account for only 0.25 percent of the state's job creation over the program's history. The state expects to spend $155 million luring movie producers to film in Michigan. In its first year of operations, even using the state's generous assumptions on its multiplier effects, the incentive accounted for just …

Cox: Schools can publish some photos, video

… student photos at social networking sites such as Facebook. They also questioned if schools had any responsibility in cases when parents or visitors filmed a school event and posted it on a Web site not affiliated with schools. SOURCES: Traverse City Record-Eagle, "A.G. opinion impacts students' images," …

This Week In Michigan - July 31

Detroit Free Press - A game maker sues the state over the film incentive program. Detroit Free Press - The Freep says a Macomb Republican seeking a state Senate seat is using "heavy and unfounded allegations" against her rivals ... and the politician admits she doesn't even know if the charges are …

Charging Service Taxes

… employment numbers for Michigan's film industry. In his analysis, Hohman found — to … Michigan people working in Michigan's film industry than before the state's movie … senator to declare, "As a job creator, film subsidies have failed in Michigan ... … investigation involving a possible Michigan Film Office deal for "Hangar42," a Grand …

A MichiganVotes.org Apology to Rep. Dave Agema

… ~~~~~~~~ A selecton of bills introduced by Rep. Dave Agema House Bill 6366 (Establish "Arizona" illegal alien law) House Bill 6285 (Narrow allowable film subsidy secrecy) House Bill 6286 (Require proof of citizenship to register to vote) House Bill 6259 (Create incentive for state employees to spend …

A MichiganVotes.org Apology to Rep. Dave Agema

… of all the bills he has ever sponsored is here. House Bill 6366 (Establish "Arizona" illegal alien law and more) House Bill 6285 (Narrow allowable film subsidy secrecy) House Bill 6286 (Require proof of citizenship to register to vote) House Bill 6259 (Create incentive for state employees to spend …

Manufacturing a Legacy

The governor explains lost jobs on her watch

… Job Creation "...Funny Numbers They Pull Out of Their Backside" Does Michigan Adding Jobs in July Redeem the Granholm Record? Governor Describes Film Subsidies as Jobs Program, so "Why Not Give Them Spoons?" NOT Blown Away

Michigan's Real Financial State

Is it worse than advertised?

… Job Creation "...Funny Numbers They Pull Out of Their Backside" Does Michigan Adding Jobs in July Redeem the Granholm Record? Governor Describes Film Subsidies as Jobs Program, so "Why Not Give Them Spoons?" NOT Blown Away

Politicized Resource Allocation Yields Lackluster U.S., Michigan Recoveries

… millions of taxpayer dollars spent to subsidize a handful of electric car battery assembly plants employing at most a few hundred workers each. An ongoing film subsidy program projected to suck $130 million from the state budget this year. Massive “renewable energy” subsidies and mandates, potentially including …

Gov. Snyder to Break Michigan's MEGA Habit

… saying the governor’s proposal would also end the Michigan Economic Growth Authority’s selective corporate tax break and subsidy program, and the state film subsidies as well. Research by Mackinac Center analysts shows that, at best, MEGA creates no new net jobs, and it may actually destroy them. Specifically, …

‘Myth’ Videos an Award-Winning Reality

… Michigan’s $20 billion public school system) into bite-sized and entertaining shorts. Daniel Montgomery, marketing and design director, animated the films, winning the silver Communicator for use of graphics in the video. The Center has produced four videos to supplement a study on school funding myths. …

Reasons to Celebrate in Michigan

… eliminated, the Michigan Business Tax was abolished, the economic development regime has had its wings clipped, an alleged rip-off using the Michigan film incentive was thwarted, emergency financial managers have more effective tools for dealing with recalcitrant unions, probably half of the school districts …

Global Warming Will Lead to Alien Invasions?

… ecological destructive tendencies and wipe humanity out in order to preserve the Earth system as a whole.” It sounds like an idea for a new Al Gore film. The authors go on to say: “These scenarios give us reason to limit our growth and reduce our impact on global ecosystems. It would be particularly …

Sen. Harry Reid Misreads Facts on Public/Private Job Losses

… government jobs that have been protected from a recession,” Hohman said. ~~~~~ See also: Helpful Facts About Michigan's Public Sector Governor Describes Film Subsidies as Jobs Program, so "Why Not Give Them Spoons?" Debate: Could Union Costs Be Pricing Michigan Out of Auto Jobs? Sierra Club’s War on Coal …