NY State Film Production Tax Credit Program *UPDATE*


25 March 2019

URGENT: Act Today - Text to Keep Jobs in New York

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Thank you for helping to keep our jobs in New York!

As you know, the Senate, Assembly and Governor are still negotiating the upcoming New York budget. We must keep the pressure on Albany to make sure our film and TV jobs are safe for many years to come. 

Take action today to keep jobs in New York!  Even if you have already done it, please do it again.

If you haven’t reached out to the Governor do so today! 

Contact by phone:    1-518-474-8390 | Office hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm

Text "NY JOBS" to 877877 to be connected to your state senator and assemblyperson.  Let them both know we must have an extension to the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit in this year’s state budget.  (Regular data and text message rates may apply.)

You will receive a text back asking for your name and address. Once you respond, you will be called back and connected to your senator's office.  After that call, you will receive another text with information about contacting your assembly member. Please connect with them both!

Are you working on a TV show or film in New York? Have you worked on one in the past or hope to work on one in the future? You may not realize it, but your opportunities to work are at risk. 

New York production is booming because of the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit program.  Without a five-year extension to the program, television pilots will not come to New York and current shows may relocate.  To keep UNION jobs in New York, we need an extension to the Tax Credit Program NOW. Our governor and state legislators need to hear from you immediately about the importance of these jobs to you and your families.

Without a five-year extension to the program, television pilots will be much less likely to come to New York. Many current shows may relocate without assurances that the program will remain stable for the long term. The extension will keep our jobs local.

The New York State Film and Television Tax Credit program is vital to below the line jobs in the state and has been since it began in 2004. The program means:

  • Tens of thousands of jobs mostly for local union members.
  • Billions of dollars in taxes for the state of New York.
  • Exponential growth in production, with a record of 91 TV shows filmed in 2017.

Tell the governor and your state legislators the program must be extended for five years. Let them know that your job, and tens of thousands of other union jobs, rely on their vote to extend the New York Film and Television Tax Credit program. Be sure to let them know you are paying attention and that you vote!

Don't want to text? Use these links to find contact information for your representatives. Feel free to use the script below (online at https://www.icg600.com/Portals/0/PDFs%20%28Public%29/19-NYS-Sample-Letters.pdf) or your own words. 

State Senator 
https://www.nysenate.gov/registration/nojs/form/start/find-my-senator

State Assembly Member
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Governor
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

PHONE SCRIPT:

Hello. My name is _____ and I am your constituent and a proud IATSE Local 600 member.

Thanks to the New York State Film Production Tax Credit Program, I have been able to work in New York and go home to my family at night. My union job provides my income and protects me and my family with strong health and pension benefits.

When the Film and Television Tax Credit program extensions come up for a vote in the legislature, please think of me and my family. This program is not just about my job, but about tens of thousands of union jobs for taxpayers and voters across the state. 

We are counting on your support to extend the credit until 2027.

Thank you.

[Give your address including zip code – offices tally calls from voters in their districts!]

SAMPLE EMAIL/LETTER:

Dear ___________________,

I am writing as your constituent and a proud IATSE Local 600 member.

Thanks to the New York State Film Production Tax Credit program, I have been able to work in New York and go home to my family at night. My union job provides my income and protects me and my family with strong health and pension benefits.

When the Film and Television Tax Credit program extensions come up for a vote in the legislature, please think of me and my family. This program is not just about my job, but about tens of thousands of union jobs for taxpayers and voters across the state. 

We are counting on your support to extend the incentive until 2027.

[Name] ________________________

[Street Address] ________________________

[Zip Code] _________


Attention Members in New York!

Your help, and the help of your family, friends, and neighbors is needed.

Since its enactment in 2004, the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit has created tens of thousands of middle-class union jobs and indirectly countless more in construction, transportation, catering and other related industries.  The program is responsible for nearly 50,000 jobs since 2017 alone, generating over $4 billion in personal income. The taxes on this income help support education, health care and other vital services, as well as investments in infrastructure and capital construction.  It is a union jobs program through and through.

Text NY JOBS to 877877 to be connected to your State Senator.  Ask them to include the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit in this year’s state budget.

The Film and Television Credit is a model for economic development programs in terms of accountability and transparency.  Unlike other credits, this program only awards rebates after the jobs are created.  It also only applies to middle class jobs, not executive salaries or Hollywood stars.

But, unless the Film and Television Tax Credit is included in the state budget, the program will expire and the entertainment industry and the hardworking men and women that work in it will be devastated.

Text NY JOBS to 877877 to be connected to your State Senator.  Ask them to include the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit in this year’s state budget.

Please call today to protect and grow unions jobs in New York State.

Read more: Fact Sheet summarizing the Unions' position


Brothers & Sisters:

Last week I described the positive impact that the New York State Film Production Tax Credit Program has had on film production in New York, and explained that your participation is critical to our efforts to extend it past its sunset in 2022.  I asked then that you learn who your state legislators are, and to give some thought as to how you would tell your own story of how the NY incentive has had a positive impact on you and your family.

The extension of the incentive is not the slam dunk it has been in past years, and there are reasons to be concerned.  This is where grassroots support from YOU  is critical. Elected officials need to hear the impact the incentive has had in your work life, and what it would mean if it goes away.  This week our coalition of Unions and Guilds is asking our members to participate right now by calling and writing your NYS representatives. New York residents can look up your State Assembly member and Senator and their contact information here Click Here To Find Your Legislator.  Please scroll down to find a link to a sample phone call script and letter to use when communicating with your Representatives. A phone call is the most potent form of communication, followed by an email or snail mail letter. Encourage your family and friends to act as well.

If you do not live in New York, please forward this information to friends and relatives who do and ask them for their support. 

This will be a tough campaign and a chief component, if we are to succeed in our efforts to save our jobs and businesses, is the grassroots participation of you and the entire Film and TV community in New York. Please take the time to participate in this effort in any way you can.

Fraternally,

Chaim Kantor
Associate National Executive Director, Local 600 IATSE

Sample Call/Letter to Elected Officials in NYS Legislature



[ more news » ]