Seed Newsvine
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
FAX:(517) 335-6863
Greetings Mr. Snyder,
You sent me a nice form letter. No doubt you or your staff thought it would be enough to silence myself and the many others you sent it to. It’s not what you say, but what you do that reveals who you are. You are bad for the people of Michigan.
Your budget doesn’t break bad habits, it lines the pockets of your good old boys club and corporations, who have created the financial crisis in Michigan by outsourcing jobs. The fiscal reality is that you have chased away an industry that was bringing hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of good paying jobs to the state.
In two years, the Film Incentive program had a 6 to 1 profit margin for the state. It was profitable with tax revenue, good paying jobs, it supported local businesses, and made the state look good internationally for both tourism and investment. But it was bad for the good old boys club. They couldn’t just pay minimum wage and withhold benefits and still keep quality workers. They would have been forced to compete by paying a living wage and benefits.
Also new money means diversifying the power base. The broader the base the stronger the structure. But a broad base also means sharing power, wealth and control. All of which you and buddies are fighting to prevent even if it means destroying the state in the process.
If you hadn’t attacked the film incentive program, I would be wrapping up my first feature film. It’s a 7 million dollar project, most of which was going to be spent in the state.. I would be paying business taxes, payroll, and buying locally. Michigan, specifically Traverse City, Manistee, Michigan State University and several business, including the Henderson Castle would have been shown in a very positive light to an international market. Instead, many of the people I would have hired are unemployed or under employed, including myself.
I am still looking for financing. Never Can Say Good-bye will be shot in Michigan, but only because so many people put their faith in me and it. I won’t let them down. However, the TV series, Operation Home Base, along with the tax revenue, jobs, support for local business and the good PR is going to Oklahoma. Once it hits the air waves, I’m going to make sure everyone knows why I took the project out of Michigan and exactly who is responsible.
Your actions have qualified you for a very special honor from the people of Michigan. Seven Governors have been impeach. The people of Michigan are going to add your name to that list. You and your buddies are corruption and selfishness as basest level. You don’t care who your hurt or how many people’s lives you destroy. The only thing you care about is power and money.
The people of Michigan are not complacent. Your actions have mobilized us. We are standing together against you, those who vote with you and all you stand for. We are the people of Michigan and we are not for sale.
Theresa Chaze
Showing posts with label Rick Snyder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rick Snyder. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Snyder, Pacholka Stealing Land From Children and Families
Benton Harbor just has to follow the money to understand the method behind the Emergency Financial Manager.
Al Pacholka sponsored the EFM bill. He is the representative from Benton Harbor. He is also a former VP of one of the developers of the golf course that they have been trying to put on the Jean Clock Park site. He is also a former staffer for Congressman Fred Upton, who is part of the Whirlpool family.
Whirlpool has been trying since the 1980's to get the $500 million 530 acre public/private land development, which would include Jean Clock Park. It would include a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, luxury condos, mansions and a few affordable homes. The local government and the people of Benton Harbor stood in their way.
Benton Harbor is one of the first cities taken over. Suddenly, the local government no longer has any power. Gee, it doesn't take a psychic to see what's coming next. I wonder if Jack knows that he is contributing to the destruction of land that was a gift to the children and families of Benton Harbor from a grieving family as a memorial for their daughter. So is he so hard-hearted that he only cares about money like Snyder, Pacholka, and Upton?
CONTACT INFO:
Al Pacholka
LANSING OFFICE
We are located in the:
Anderson House Office Bldg.
N-1098 House Office Building
Lansing, MI 48933
MAILING ADDRESS
N-1098 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 373-1403
Toll Free: (888) 656-0079
Email: AlPscholka@house.mi.gov
Fred Upton
Kalamazoo District Office
157 South Kalamazoo Mall
Suite 180
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 385-0039
Fax: (269) 385-2888
Benton Harbor/St. Joseph District Office
800 Centre, Suite 106
800 Ship Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-1986
Fax: (269) 982-0237
Washington, D.C. Office
2183 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3761
Fax: (202) 225-4986
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
IMG New York
(Sports Management Company)
304 Park Avenue South
Penthouse North
New York, NY 10010-4301
USA
Phone: (212) 489-5400
Fax: (212) 246-1118
Al Pacholka sponsored the EFM bill. He is the representative from Benton Harbor. He is also a former VP of one of the developers of the golf course that they have been trying to put on the Jean Clock Park site. He is also a former staffer for Congressman Fred Upton, who is part of the Whirlpool family.
Whirlpool has been trying since the 1980's to get the $500 million 530 acre public/private land development, which would include Jean Clock Park. It would include a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, luxury condos, mansions and a few affordable homes. The local government and the people of Benton Harbor stood in their way.
Benton Harbor is one of the first cities taken over. Suddenly, the local government no longer has any power. Gee, it doesn't take a psychic to see what's coming next. I wonder if Jack knows that he is contributing to the destruction of land that was a gift to the children and families of Benton Harbor from a grieving family as a memorial for their daughter. So is he so hard-hearted that he only cares about money like Snyder, Pacholka, and Upton?
CONTACT INFO:
Al Pacholka
LANSING OFFICE
We are located in the:
Anderson House Office Bldg.
N-1098 House Office Building
Lansing, MI 48933
MAILING ADDRESS
N-1098 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 373-1403
Toll Free: (888) 656-0079
Email: AlPscholka@house.mi.gov
Fred Upton
Kalamazoo District Office
157 South Kalamazoo Mall
Suite 180
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 385-0039
Fax: (269) 385-2888
Benton Harbor/St. Joseph District Office
800 Centre, Suite 106
800 Ship Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-1986
Fax: (269) 982-0237
Washington, D.C. Office
2183 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3761
Fax: (202) 225-4986
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
IMG New York
(Sports Management Company)
304 Park Avenue South
Penthouse North
New York, NY 10010-4301
USA
Phone: (212) 489-5400
Fax: (212) 246-1118
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Truth About the Michigan Film Incentives
Governor Snyder’s and the other politicians attack on the Michigan’s Film Incentive Program has already cost the state millions of dollars and uncountable number of jobs. They claim the incentive program drains money from the state, while giving very little back. Not only do the independent studies prove this wrong, but so does common sense.
The Incentive Program returns 36-42% of what the Production Company spends within Michigan. . Independent accounting firms proved that the film industry spent over 600 million dollars of new money in the state of Michigan. The incentive program for the same period of time paid out a 100 million. However, the key phase is “new money.” Money that would have been spent in another state came to Michigan. Taxes that would have been paid to another state were paid to Michigan. The same could be said for jobs, fees, and positive promotions, which gave the state international exposure not only to film fans, but also to foreign investors who were looking for a new market.
The film and television industry is very fluid. Unlike manufacturing, retail, or most businesses, it doesn’t need to build a large infrastructure to in order to do business. It is capable of using existing structures as locations by temporary modifying them to meet their needs or by using larger spaces to create short-term sets. In doing so it pays location fees to cities, businesses, and individuals. It hires locally for services and products. In addition, to the union staff, it hires local people to play extras and to work non-union positions, thereby opening the door to new careers both in front of and behind the cameras.
If however, a production company decides to set down roots by establishing a studio, they bring with them not only the gypsy jobs of cast and crew, but also hundreds of support jobs. Whether it be in the office, transportation, promotions, catering, maintenance, or security, nearly every studio hires its support staff locally.
Studios not only bring in film work, but it opens the door for other projects such as commercials, music videos, video games, and television series. All of which increases the demand for local services and staff, while increasing the individual and business tax base. Whether the income is local, national, or international, studios also pays taxes on their profits to their home state.
When people have good paying jobs the demand on pubic social service lessons. Instead of being a drain on the state, they not only pay taxes, but they also have the money to pay for goods and services, which in turn creates new jobs and tax revenue. This positive financial cycle financially benefits the state.
With this win-win financial scenario why would Snyder and other politicians attack a program that is bringing new money and jobs into the state. It is very simple. New money and good jobs challenges the status quo. Established businesses do not want to compete for good employees by having to pay a living wage and benefits. In addition, Snyder and his old boys club are out to break the back of the unions. Unions fight for workers to have safe working conditions, a living wage and benefits. They take away greedy CEO’s power to use, abuse and lose employees at will. Collective bargaining strengthens the work force, which in turn strengthens the state’s economy.
If Snyder’s changes to the Film Incentive program are allowed to stand, not only will it cost Michigan hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs, but its reputation as well. The industry was given five years to become self sustaining and profitable. Snyder is trying to change the terms after two. The bait and switch has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the country and the world. No Corporation or individual will invest long term in a state, which is not as good as its word.
It is time to tell Governor Snyder and those who stand with him keep their hands off the Film Incentive Program. In order for Michigan to regain prosperity, it needs new jobs that come from new money. It also needs to reestablish its reputation as a state, which stands behind its word. As citizens, it is time to remind the elected politicians that they work for us, not the Corporate CEOs by calling and demanding that the film incentives be preserved.
The Incentive Program returns 36-42% of what the Production Company spends within Michigan. . Independent accounting firms proved that the film industry spent over 600 million dollars of new money in the state of Michigan. The incentive program for the same period of time paid out a 100 million. However, the key phase is “new money.” Money that would have been spent in another state came to Michigan. Taxes that would have been paid to another state were paid to Michigan. The same could be said for jobs, fees, and positive promotions, which gave the state international exposure not only to film fans, but also to foreign investors who were looking for a new market.
The film and television industry is very fluid. Unlike manufacturing, retail, or most businesses, it doesn’t need to build a large infrastructure to in order to do business. It is capable of using existing structures as locations by temporary modifying them to meet their needs or by using larger spaces to create short-term sets. In doing so it pays location fees to cities, businesses, and individuals. It hires locally for services and products. In addition, to the union staff, it hires local people to play extras and to work non-union positions, thereby opening the door to new careers both in front of and behind the cameras.
If however, a production company decides to set down roots by establishing a studio, they bring with them not only the gypsy jobs of cast and crew, but also hundreds of support jobs. Whether it be in the office, transportation, promotions, catering, maintenance, or security, nearly every studio hires its support staff locally.
Studios not only bring in film work, but it opens the door for other projects such as commercials, music videos, video games, and television series. All of which increases the demand for local services and staff, while increasing the individual and business tax base. Whether the income is local, national, or international, studios also pays taxes on their profits to their home state.
When people have good paying jobs the demand on pubic social service lessons. Instead of being a drain on the state, they not only pay taxes, but they also have the money to pay for goods and services, which in turn creates new jobs and tax revenue. This positive financial cycle financially benefits the state.
With this win-win financial scenario why would Snyder and other politicians attack a program that is bringing new money and jobs into the state. It is very simple. New money and good jobs challenges the status quo. Established businesses do not want to compete for good employees by having to pay a living wage and benefits. In addition, Snyder and his old boys club are out to break the back of the unions. Unions fight for workers to have safe working conditions, a living wage and benefits. They take away greedy CEO’s power to use, abuse and lose employees at will. Collective bargaining strengthens the work force, which in turn strengthens the state’s economy.
If Snyder’s changes to the Film Incentive program are allowed to stand, not only will it cost Michigan hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs, but its reputation as well. The industry was given five years to become self sustaining and profitable. Snyder is trying to change the terms after two. The bait and switch has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the country and the world. No Corporation or individual will invest long term in a state, which is not as good as its word.
It is time to tell Governor Snyder and those who stand with him keep their hands off the Film Incentive Program. In order for Michigan to regain prosperity, it needs new jobs that come from new money. It also needs to reestablish its reputation as a state, which stands behind its word. As citizens, it is time to remind the elected politicians that they work for us, not the Corporate CEOs by calling and demanding that the film incentives be preserved.
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