New Jersey lawmaker presents ‘return of the film tax credit’

 A film crew sets up for an outdoor scene in 'A Beautiful Mind' on the campus of Princeton University in New Jersey. A state lawmaker wants to revive a film-production tax credit to bring more moviemaking to the state.(AP file photo)

A film crew sets up for an outdoor scene in 'A Beautiful Mind' on the campus of Princeton University in New Jersey. A state lawmaker wants to revive a film-production tax credit to bring more moviemaking to the state.(AP file photo)

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a measure that could bring more movie production to the state.

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson says filmmakers have gone to other states since Gov. Chris Christie withdrew support for a tax credit program in 2010.

“I believe that now is the time to incentivize the film industry and bring movie production back to New Jersey,” said Johnson, D-Bergen. “We’ve seen many productions go to New York and Pennsylvania because they offer some type of incentive that we’re not offering

Johnson wants to restore the program with $50 million in tax credits for film production and $10 million for digital media production.

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“I believe that it’s revenue neutral,” he said. “The benefit of this industry coming into New Jersey will pay for itself through economic benefits with ancillary jobs, the support jobs, the caterers, and the production crews, and all that.”

With its beaches, mountains, and views of the New York City skyline, Johnson said, New Jersey is attractive for film production. He believes the tax credit program could encourage companies to put some studios in the state.

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