IOWA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

On Friday (9/18), Iowa’s Governor Culver accepted the resignation of Department of Economic Development Director Mike Tramontina and asked the Economic Development Board to not approve further tax credit certificates until questions about the administration of the program are answered.  The film office administrator, Tom Wheeler, also has been placed on paid administrative leave pending further review.

Gov. Culver has requested the state attorney general and state auditor to be part of a review of a film industry tax credit that has been suspended due to “reported irregularities” in the program.

Revenue Director Mark Schuling said he could not answer a question on the minds of many movie makers and their workers: Which tax-credit projects will the state ultimately honor? “That’s a tough legal question.  It’s something that we have to take a look at,” he said. To what extent will we be disallowing tax credits?  I don’t have answers to that.  It’s just real premature.”

At a Monday afternoon news conference, movie industry advocates said tighter regulation was needed, but they urged Gov. Culver to allow the incentive program to continue while the investigation proceeds. Culver spokesman Phil Roeder said the governor was aware of the concern but would stick by his decision.

Stay tuned…

For more information please contact:

Joe Bessacini
Vice President, Film & TV Production Incentives
818-480-4427
jbessacini@castandcrew.com

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