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WHEREAS, since its inception, the Pittsburgh Film Office has assisted in bringing more than 90 feature films and television productions to Southwestern Pennsylvania which generated an economic impact of more than $360 million for the State of Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania offers up to $75 million per year to the film industry, in the form of a 25% transferable Film Production Tax Credit, for expenses incurred in PA in the production of feature films, TV shows and series and commercials intended for a national audience; and,
WHEREAS, this tax credit has brought in over $300 million dollars of film industry money per year, including $81 million to Southwestern Pennsylvania in the last two years; and,
WHEREAS, the tax credit has a large impact on Southwestern Pennsylvania, bringing in $81 million dollars of Hollywood money; quadrupling the amount of feature films or television productions per year; doubling the membership of IATSE Local 489; increasing hotel room rentals by 800% and increasing car rentals by 250%; and,
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania legislature has contemplated cutting this tax credit, in an attempt to balance its 2009 budget; and,
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby support and defend the Pittsburgh Film Office's attempt to keep the tax credit; and,
NOW, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh conveys this Sense of Council Resolution to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to the Governor of Pennsylvania.