Lawmakers threaten "eminent" domain over producers House of Cards and set

[Oldgamer]

I really don't know what to make of this. This just seems utterly absurd, but from both parties. One is threatening to leave the state and make their show somewhere else if they don't get more billion dollars tax credits, and the state lawmakers are saying, if they do that they will declare "eminent domain" over the production set and studio. Am I reading this right? LOL

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News Link Here

Maryland lawmakers threaten to seize the property of 'House of Cards' if the show leaves the state

ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 28 (UPI) -- Members of the Maryland House of Delegates aren't thrilled with producers of the hit Netflix series House of Cards, who say they plan to leave the state if they don't get millions in tax credits for filming there.
In a move that would make Frank Underwood proud, delegates approved a measure Thursday afternoon that threatens to seize, purchase or condemn the show's sets, equipment and other property through eminent domain.

“I literally thought: What is an appropriate Frank Underwood response to a threat like this?” said Del. C. William Frick, D-Montgomery, who proposed the measure. "Eminent domain really struck me as the most dramatic response."

Frick's "friendly amendment" to the budget was approved with little debate and without a roll-call vote, but the state's lawmakers are hoping it never comes to pass. It would have to get the approval of the Maryland Senate, which last week voted 45 to 1 to increase the amount of available tax credits to $18.5 million.

“It’s a terrific show. I love it. You probably love it,” Frick said, saying a January complaint from Media Rights Capital "went too far" and expressing his hope that the show's producers would be appeased by the increase in available credits.

While the measure doesn't directly mention House of Cards, Underwood himself, Kevin Spacey, was in Annapolis to whip the votes for the tax credit at an event with lawmakers.

While the show has already received -- or is on track to receive -- $26.6 million in tax credits for the first two seasons, producers have delayed the start of filming Season 3 until they get the cash they want.

 

[theeedude]

I really don't know what to make of this. This just seems utterly absurd, but from both parties. One is threatening to leave the state and make their show somewhere else if they don't get more billion dollars tax credits, and the state lawmakers are saying, if they do that they will declare "eminent domain" over the production set and studio. Am I reading this right? LOL

----------------------------------------

News Link Here

Maryland lawmakers threaten to seize the property of 'House of Cards' if the show leaves the state

ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 28 (UPI) -- Members of the Maryland House of Delegates aren't thrilled with producers of the hit Netflix series House of Cards, who say they plan to leave the state if they don't get millions in tax credits for filming there.
In a move that would make Frank Underwood proud, delegates approved a measure Thursday afternoon that threatens to seize, purchase or condemn the show's sets, equipment and other property through eminent domain.

“I literally thought: What is an appropriate Frank Underwood response to a threat like this?” said Del. C. William Frick, D-Montgomery, who proposed the measure. "Eminent domain really struck me as the most dramatic response."

Frick's "friendly amendment" to the budget was approved with little debate and without a roll-call vote, but the state's lawmakers are hoping it never comes to pass. It would have to get the approval of the Maryland Senate, which last week voted 45 to 1 to increase the amount of available tax credits to $18.5 million.

“It’s a terrific show. I love it. You probably love it,” Frick said, saying a January complaint from Media Rights Capital "went too far" and expressing his hope that the show's producers would be appeased by the increase in available credits.

While the measure doesn't directly mention House of Cards, Underwood himself, Kevin Spacey, was in Annapolis to whip the votes for the tax credit at an event with lawmakers.

While the show has already received -- or is on track to receive -- $26.6 million in tax credits for the first two seasons, producers have delayed the start of filming Season 3 until they get the cash they want.

$26M for 2 seasons? That's $1M per episode that the taxpayers of Maryland are paying for House of Cards. Why?

 

[Vic]

Note tax credits not tax breaks. MD is flat out paying House of Cards to shoot there.

 

[Oldgamer]

$26M for 2 seasons? That's $1M per episode that the taxpayers of Maryland are paying for House of Cards. Why?

Well apparently they were lured by Lawmakers with promises of big tax credits. Then they made the episodes and got these huge tax credits, and now the House of Cards folks want bigger tax credits and the State is refusing. (good for them btw) however, the House of Cards folks are saying they will go to another state if they don't give them more big tax credits. So Maryland is claiming they have a right then to use Eminent Domain and seize all property because of the tax credits they already received.

 

[Oldgamer]

$26M for 2 seasons? That's $1M per episode that the taxpayers of Maryland are paying for House of Cards. Why?

Well that is a little more than two years worth of filming, and they got their tax credits. The thing is you can't just say your going to take over their property and set because they decide they are going to move to another state. There was no contract per se with the state, and the movie producers did in fact shoot there for over two years. But I am not siding with House of Cards folks either. I think it is ridiculous that they are asking for so much in the way of Tax Credits. I think both sides are being ridiculous honestly.

 

[drebo]

How many jobs were created because of the show? How much in income and sales tax did the state receive due to the show being produced there?

I'd be willing to bet it's a wash to the state, and local businesses prospered while the cast and crew were there.

 

[dmcowen674]

Lawmakers threaten "eminent" domain over producers House of Cards and set

I really don't know what to make of this. This just seems utterly absurd, but from both parties. One is threatening to leave the state and make their show somewhere else if they don't get more billion dollars tax credits, and the state lawmakers are saying, if they do that they will declare "eminent domain" over the production set and studio. Am I reading this right? LOL

----------------------------------------

News Link Here

Maryland lawmakers threaten to seize the property of 'House of Cards' if the show leaves the state

I know what to think of it.

I think it is awesome to see both the rich and rich Politicians clashing over their stupid ideologies.

You know who loses?

The dumb American sheeple taxpayers and they deserve to get reamed as hard as possible and will.

 

[boomerang]

Man, these Hollywood types that are so caught up in liberal/progressive ideals actually sound like filthy capitalists. I guess it's not cool when it's their wallets.

 

[Vic]

Man, these Hollywood types that are so caught up in liberal/progressive ideals actually sound like filthy capitalists. I guess it's not cool when it's their wallets.

This is a stupid comment. Hollywood has always been capitalist.

 

[Vic]

How many jobs were created because of the show? How much in income and sales tax did the state receive due to the show being produced there?

I'd be willing to bet it's a wash to the state, and local businesses prospered while the cast and crew were there.

Sure sure.. but if the state was giving this money to an individual and not a corporation, we'd call it bribery and corruption.

 

[TreVader]

Man, these Hollywood types that are so caught up in liberal/progressive ideals actually sound like filthy capitalists. I guess it's not cool when it's their wallets.

Um ok. Did you ever stop to think that it's also hypocritical for so called "capitalist" conservatives who support the "free market" to complain about this?


This issue is a bit more complicated than you can handle. You should try a thread with Obama in the title, at least then your idiotic rants about "hollywood types" and liberals will make a modicum of sense.

 

[TreVader]

Sure sure.. but if the state was giving this money to an individual and not a corporation, we'd call it bribery and corruption.

House of Cards would be filmed in LA if Maryland hadn't offered these tax credits, so Maryland needs to STFU and pay the piper. If they didn't want to have to bribe people to film in their state, they should develop a film industry or SOMETHING but don't bribe film crews to stay in your crappy state (which I'm sure they all hate).



They are paying House Of Cards to stay because if they didn't the set would never have been there to begin with.

 

[Zaap]

House of Cards would be filmed in LA if Maryland hadn't offered these tax credits

No it wouldn't. It'd be some other state offering a better deal.

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/e...-shooting-elsewhere-to-save-money-1201125523/

The trend has been mounting for high-profile films set in the Golden State to be filmed almost entirely outside California, due to lucrative tax breaks elsewhere that producers can’t turn down.

Nitwit third-world California government is pricing Hollywood right out of the state, and has been for years. Now other states are enjoying all the jobs.

But don't worry- statists are *REALLY* fucking stupid. Eventually the shell game of going from state to state will end- it'll ALL just end up overseas. The dumb statists will celebrate themselves shouting "Yay!! We sure showed those rich guys what's what!"

Then in the next breath: "WAHH! What happened to all the good jobs?!! WAHH WAHH WAHH WALMART WAHH WAHH WAHH MCDONALDS!!"

Lather, rinse, repeat for other industries as well.

 

[First]

No it wouldn't. It'd be some other state offering a better deal.

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/e...-shooting-elsewhere-to-save-money-1201125523/



Nitwit third-world California government is pricing Hollywood right out of the state, and has been for years. Now other states are enjoying all the jobs.

But don't worry- statists are *REALLY* fucking stupid. Eventually the shell game of going from state to state will end- it'll ALL just end up overseas. The dumb statists will celebrate themselves shouting "Yay!! We sure showed those rich guys what's what!"

Then in the next breath: "WAHH! What happened to all the good jobs?!! WAHH WAHH WAHH WALMART WAHH WAHH WAHH MCDONALDS!!"

Lather, rinse, repeat for other industries as well.

Wah Walmart Wah McDonalds?

I think even a short bus would kick you off.

 

[Zaap]

^ Says one of the dumber twits who's constantly whining about Walmart and McDonalds! LOL!

 

[First]

^ Says one of the dumber twits who's constantly whining about Walmart and McDonalds! LOL!

You couldn't find a post of mine whining about either corporation if your life depended on it. Don't wimp out now, do a search kiddo.

 

[Zaap]

Relax dipshit, no one *REALLY* gives a shit about what you have to say about anything- you never post *anything* that isn't two steps below worthless.

Now back down your rathole with you.

 

[FaaR]

How many jobs were created because of the show? How much in income and sales tax did the state receive due to the show being produced there?

Doesn't really matter how many jobs were "created". As soon as you start going down the slippery slope of just because you "create" jobs then you don't just need to NOT pay taxes, but actually have cash money thrown at you by the state, then things will be turning to crap in real quick order.

Of course, you can't build a solid society on a foundation where "job creators" get subsidized in order to "create" jobs. Absolutely nobody benefits from that except for the owners of those companies receiving said subsidies.

 

[theeedude]

I don't understand why Maryland taxpayers signed up to pay $1M of their tax money per episode of House of Cards in the first place. I can't see how House of Cards can ever create enough jobs and taxes in Maryland to cover $1M per episode. I don't see what the compelling state interest in subsidizing film industry is. These are non-recurring temp jobs, if they spent that money subsidizing small business loans, they could at least create some lasting economic benefits with attachment to the community.

 

[Oldgamer]

Was there some kind of legal binding contract with the state? That would seem strange if there was. If so did the contract/agreement say that the producers and show had to stay in this state? If anyone knows please link what ever you find. Thanks.

 

[Zaap]

Doesn't really matter how many jobs were "created".

It never does to a statist. All that matters is how much money their precious politicians are grubbing.

The producers spend $100 million dollars on a season of the show in the state. Statist nitwits whine because they can't do math- that to be the location of where that 100 million is spent, you have to give an incentive of $26 million or more. To a statist nitwit, $26 million is greater than 100 million, and ZERO is the best number of all when the entire production goes elsewhere.

But like I said, statists are *REALLY* fucking stupid. Let me emphasize that, *REALLY* fucking stupid.They'll go for ZERO every time, (and celebrate themselves for it) and then think nothing of turning around and whining when every other industry just says "fuck all of you" and moves overseas.

 

[FaaR]

It never does to a statist. All that matters is how much money their precious politicians are grubbing.

You must have learned a new, big word recently, which is why you use it so much. "Statist", eh. Pfft. By this idiotic diatribe of yours I think it's safe to say you never heard that old saying about assumptions.

Must be really comforting to an obviously intellectually myopic figure such as yourself to simply randomly project your own misconceptions onto other people. Dogmatic conservative radicals tend to react that way in the face of logic and reason, it's a common failing.

The producers spend $100 million dollars on a season of the show in the state.

...Yeah? And? Your reasoning is that that makes them deserving of $26M of taxpayer money, why? Where do you think all that money comes from, thin air perhaps? No, in reality it's actually John Q. Taxpayer et.al. who contributed that money, which went straight down the pockets of a few fat cats I might add. Do you think they would approve just giving away their hard-earned cash to already filthy rich people? Would YOU?

To me, it doesn't sound like you enjoy paying tax at all (considering your tilting at windmills yelling "statist!" and all), so how would you finance this scheme of throwing pearls before swine just to get said swine to put their business in your state?

Are you even sure that the state recouped at least $26M out of the $100M you allege was spent, if not, then what? Perhaps every business owner should be given cash grants by the state equal to 26% of their expenditures, or would this only apply to big, already successful and wealthy corporations?

Ahaha. Why am I bothering asking you all these questions anyway? We already know you can't answer any of them because you actually can't. You haven't spent even five seconds considering any of these issues have you.

Statist nitwits whine because they can't do math

Funny you should say that, because I see precious little in the way of actual math in your post, just a lot of extremely belligerent raging and trolling, like every other post of yours I've read. :whiste:

To a statist nitwit, $26 million is greater than 100 million, and ZERO is the best number of all when the entire production goes elsewhere.

For someone screaming about how fucking stupid other people are, you might want to stop for three seconds and ask yourself where it will end if you start bribing companies to do business in your area. In this case, $26 million has already been spent and now that's no longer enough. How much is enough for you? Is there a limit at all, perhaps the state should just give the whole production cost (plus maybe a little extra padding on top) to ensure the production does not move elsewhere?

When a nation has started relying on bribing "job creators" to bring in business you've already doomed yourselves. But the truly fucking stupid people can't bring themselves to see that.

 

[Zaap]

^ See, this is what I'm talking about. A complete nitwit.

Completely unable to add, and to think properly.

He simply can't get it straight in his head, the money belongs to Netflix, spending $100 million dollars on producing a show. There IS NO $26 million dollars of "taxpayer money" except what comes back to the show's producer's in the form of an incentive.

He (like most statist nitwits- and that's EXACTLY what you are) simply can't add.

You just hear "Tax break!" and your mind goes into retard mode.

Like it makes sense that states are really lining up to "give away" millions of dollars they already have.

It's no different than if you have $100 to spend. One place will give you what you want for $26 less than another place. The place trying to charge the extra $26 gets ZERO out of the transaction.

In your stupid mind, the store that gave you the $26 discount is "giving away customer's money" and the one that got ZERO out of the transaction is somehow getting something over on someone.

But then again, what did I say? Statists are *REALLY* fucking stupid. They're completely stuck on stupidity over issues like this.

And by the way, more and more because too many people are becoming as fucking dumb as your ilk, it's the very reason why companies and people with money are getting the (in my opionion CORRECT) idea that it's just not worth bothering even trying to do business in a country full of increasingly stupid people who have a dumb peasant mentality. Why not leave and go where people are not only becoming better educated than many first-world morons, but can also do simple math enough to know that giving someone a discount on a shitton of money they're bringing your way is a hell of a lot better than just chasing that money elsewhere because you're dealing with a state/country full of fucking retards.

 

[waggy]

both sides fucking suck. No state should be offering ANY business tax brakes.

 

[Zaap]

both sides fucking suck. No state should be offering ANY business tax brakes.

...right, and so off to Canada and elsewhere it all goes. Or do countries not get to compete in the real world either? Dictator of the World is going to enforce this?

Why are people so dumb when it comes to taxes? Honest question.

The state giving the incentive is GETTING far more tax revenue by attracting the business, than the stupid states (more and more like California which has chased out all its home grown industries including Hollywood) that want to try and keep taxes sky high to cover for their out of control spending.

it's a free country, and a free world. People will go where their money gives them the best deal- the same as all the leftwing hypocrites do when it comes to spending their own money. For the serf-minded- there's no dictator you're ever going to get that's going to change that fact.