Nebraska Filmmakers Urge Tax Incentives

A coalition of filmmakers has met with Governor Dave Heineman and Nebraska state legislators to promote tax incentives for filmmakers who bring their projects to the state.

Director Alexander Payne (Sideways, About Schmidt) and Mark Hoeger, president of the Nebraska Film Association, among others, discussed the advantages of such a program. They cited a recent study by Stu Miller, the former deputy director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, showing that for every dollar spent on the tax incentive, $1.08 dollars will return to the state. The coalition pointed out that this figure does not include the positive economic effect the incentive would have on hiring and tourism.

Forty-seven other states have tax incentive programs for filmmakers. Iowa recently shut down its tax incentive program, citing inappropriate expenditures and mismanagement. The program is under review.

Legislators and coalition supporters agreed that such a program would only make sense if it had a positive effect on the Nebraska economy.

For more info: Nebraska Film Association.