A state tax credit program that is widely credited with helping to boost the movie industry in western Queens, is in danger of expiring.
And people, including Mike Gianaris, are worried.
26 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Lets dredge out all of the film industry cheerleaders from a couple of days ago. Lets offer more street parking, more tax subsidies, more police control.... But, some here, who claim to embrace Queens, have a perverse inclination and/or desire to shut down the county's streets.
It would be a shame to lose them. Historically, film production started in New York and then moved down to California because of the better weather and cheaper production costs.
It is sad that the Government has become the big nanny that has to dole out money or the babies won't play. What happened to businesses basing their decisions on whether it made economic sense, not how much they can blackmail out of local government.
Agreed. Kaufman Astoria wants to permanently shut down a part of a street (36th I think) when they expand. Why should we allow this? But we would if it would make them happy.
"Lets dredge out all of the film industry cheerleaders from a couple of days ago. Lets offer more street parking, more tax subsidies, more police control.... But, some here, who claim to embrace Queens, have a perverse inclination and/or desire to shut down the county's streets."
Inconveniences aside, the film industry is big bucks to this city. Thousands are employed from actors to crew members (and believe it or not, they're not all "illegals" either). Their employment means the generation of tax revenue which helps pay for cops, firefighters, EMTs, and other essential services. But no, you say, let's cut those jobs and get rid of all that tax revenue for the sake of parking spots and traffic. Let's keep cutting our noses to spite our faces and let's keep throwing Queens further and further into the stone age. The selfishness and ridiculousness of some of the bloggers here is appalling. They claim to love Queens, and their words demonstrate that they hate it.
So why is Kaufman and Silvercup looking at 20 - 40 - 50 story buildings?
Closing off streets?
Perhaps we cannot afford the film industry?
The taxes that the infrastructure costs will force on us will be not only enormous, but in light of how they will be spent (bringing in Tower People) most definitely should be used instead to actually help communities (schools, firehouses, etc).
If you add in those costs, plus the tax incentives, the supposed advantage of the film industry might a mirage.
The film industry is the best thing has that has happened to Queens since Arthur Asche stadium. It is a money maker for Queens (and there are not many). Employs thousands through benefits to local (Queens) small businesses. Drives up property values and encourages infrastructure investments. What is wrong with you people? Still jealous because the rich and famous may move in next door reminding you how shabby you are?
The film industry is required to directly pay any local businesses for lost revenue due to street closures.
Anyone who thinks that the film industry in NYC is a waste is out of their minds. There's opinion and then there's fact. Fact is, not only is cash brought in to the borough and the city by both taxes and local business revenues [rents, services, rentals, caterers, etc] but also we get, more or less, free publicity for tourism, another big industry that the whiners can't accept that helps put food on the table for everyone.
Anyone who thinks that the film industry in NYC is a waste is out of their minds. There's opinion and then there's fact. Fact is, not only is cash brought in to the borough and the city by both taxes and local business revenues [rents, services, rentals, caterers, etc] but also we get, more or less, free publicity for tourism, another big industry that the whiners can't accept that helps put food on the table for everyone. ----------
Add up all that you said.
Now deduct the tax breaks.
Now deduct the infrastucture costs.
Now deduct the infrastructue costs for the 50 story buildings and 20 story hotels they want to build with the tax breaks that could finance firehouses and hospitals.
Now deduct all the dividends and compensation going to the Sunas etc. (Any info on their compensation?)
Now deduct all the big ticket salaries to people who live in the suburbs that work at the studios.
Now deduct all the writers and actors and people that live in Manhattan.
Now how much do they give to Queens?
Does it even exceed what the people of Queens payout in taxes that benefit someone else as their services suck?
"...deduct tax breaks..." 'tax breaks' imply taxes paid at a lower rate. Still paid, lower rate. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"...deduct infrastructure costs..." "costs" include salaries to local cops, utility workers, union workers, builders, architects, designers, lawyers, janitors, etc. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"...deduct...the tax breaks that could finance firehouses and hospitals..." 'tax breaks' imply taxes paid at a lower rate. Still paid, lower rate. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"Now deduct all the big ticket salaries...all the writers and actors and people that live in Manhattan/suburbs..." The gigantic wall between Queens and the all other regions on earth means that revenue doesn't flood in from elsewhere, ever, right? Because no one who works or owns in LIC, Astoria, and Manhattan lives in Queens, right?
When myself and my neighbors get breaks on our property/income taxes because we bring big bucks to this city by spending virtually all of our $$$ here, then I will support tax breaks for these gubmint teetsuckers. Micromanaging tax policy to support pet industries while taxing the crap out of others is so Bloombergesque. How can some of you look in the mirror?
Well I can agree that I deserve a tax break as much as anyone and I will assume you deserve one, too.
While we're at it, why not cut the taxes for businesses as well? Those "gubmint teetsuckers" happen to employ a lot of people, and they're not dogcatchers, mind you - they are people who pay money to other people to do stuff for them, who turn pay money to other people...
I'm trying to think how taxing an industry out of existence whereby you can no longer collect any tax whatsoever, would help you and I.
Can you please explain that?
Besides Rosa's Pizza, where else to spend my money in Maspeth? Why bother?
"Well I can agree that I deserve a tax break as much as anyone and I will assume you deserve one, too."
The film industry gets a tax break. I dont. Do you? How?
If Maspeth is so horrible with only one pizzeria, then why do, 'Rescue Me', 'Nurse Betty', and 'Entourage' all show up here to shut down a chunk of Grand Avenue and film??
Talking about your 'eye doctor appointments' to make a place look bad is really pathetic.
And my friend by saying "taxing an industry out of existence" is a gross lie about what I have said. I am not asking about raising taxes, I am just objecting to CUTTING TAXES OF EXISTING BUSINESSES. Why should a Hollywood production crew get a tax advantage when my local grocer, fish market, deli doesnt get the same? Explain that.
I didn't say that Maspeth has only 1 pizzeria. I meant to say that Maspeth has only one place worth dropping a few dollars to eat in. And that's Rosa's, which has the best pizza for miles. There are plenty of crappy places to eat in Maspeth but I wouldn't visit any of them twice. C'mon, Wanka? REally? Have you been to that place? This site is so concerned with crap to the eyes, but what about the crap on the plate?
...so I'm gonna you down as 1 vote FOR the film industry. They come to Maspeth because it's so "authentic", correct? And that's the only reason, right?
From NY1:
26 comments:
Lets dredge out all of the film industry cheerleaders from a couple of days ago. Lets offer more street parking, more tax subsidies, more police control.... But, some here, who claim to embrace Queens, have a perverse inclination and/or desire to shut down the county's streets.
I doubt it will leave. California is in the red now just like NYC, but worse off.
But, some here, who claim to embrace Queens, have a perverse inclination and/or desire to shut down the county's streets.
That's exactly what the film industry does every time it does a shoot somewhere.
It would be a shame to lose them. Historically, film production started in New York and then moved down to California because of the better weather and cheaper production costs.
It is sad that the Government has become the big nanny that has to dole out money or the babies won't play. What happened to businesses basing their decisions on whether it made economic sense, not how much they can blackmail out of local government.
Agreed. Kaufman Astoria wants to permanently shut down a part of a street (36th I think) when they expand. Why should we allow this? But we would if it would make them happy.
"Lets dredge out all of the film industry cheerleaders from a couple of days ago. Lets offer more street parking, more tax subsidies, more police control.... But, some here, who claim to embrace Queens, have a perverse inclination and/or desire to shut down the county's streets."
Inconveniences aside, the film industry is big bucks to this city. Thousands are employed from actors to crew members (and believe it or not, they're not all "illegals" either). Their employment means the generation of tax revenue which helps pay for cops, firefighters, EMTs, and other essential services. But no, you say, let's cut those jobs and get rid of all that tax revenue for the sake of parking spots and traffic. Let's keep cutting our noses to spite our faces and let's keep throwing Queens further and further into the stone age. The selfishness and ridiculousness of some of the bloggers here is appalling. They claim to love Queens, and their words demonstrate that they hate it.
So why is Kaufman and Silvercup looking at 20 - 40 - 50 story buildings?
Closing off streets?
Perhaps we cannot afford the film industry?
The taxes that the infrastructure costs will force on us will be not only enormous, but in light of how they will be spent (bringing in Tower People) most definitely should be used instead to actually help communities (schools, firehouses, etc).
If you add in those costs, plus the tax incentives, the supposed advantage of the film industry might a mirage.
The film industry is the best thing has that has happened to Queens since Arthur Asche stadium.
It is a money maker for Queens (and there are not many). Employs thousands through benefits to local (Queens) small businesses.
Drives up property values and encourages infrastructure investments.
What is wrong with you people?
Still jealous because the rich and famous may move in next door reminding you how shabby you are?
Gianaris? Gianaris? I live in Astoria and remember hearing that name.
Wasn't he that kid that replaced Butler?
Now, Butler, THERE was someone fondly remembered.
Sure you remember Gianaris. He was that young fellow that blames everything, from cold sores to the price of gasoline on Con Ed.
Great excuse for failure to do anything for the community.
Great work if you can find it.
The film industry is required to directly pay any local businesses for lost revenue due to street closures.
Anyone who thinks that the film industry in NYC is a waste is out of their minds. There's opinion and then there's fact. Fact is, not only is cash brought in to the borough and the city by both taxes and local business revenues [rents, services, rentals, caterers, etc] but also we get, more or less, free publicity for tourism, another big industry that the whiners can't accept that helps put food on the table for everyone.
If no one does business, no one benefits.
They're just blackmailing us.
They ain't gonna leave because there's too munch invested here already.
And I'm tired of hearing the film industry (the most lucrative profession since prostitution) bellyache about losing money.
Yeah...right!
Go and take a hike if you want.
My high def camcorder is ready and waiting to produce the next year's academy award winning feature.
The film industry is required to directly pay any local businesses for lost revenue due to street closures.
--------
No Libertyboy, we are talking about permanently closing a street that goes by the studios.
Why? Cause they want a campus.
Anyone who thinks that the film industry in NYC is a waste is out of their minds. There's opinion and then there's fact. Fact is, not only is cash brought in to the borough and the city by both taxes and local business revenues [rents, services, rentals, caterers, etc] but also we get, more or less, free publicity for tourism, another big industry that the whiners can't accept that helps put food on the table for everyone.
----------
Add up all that you said.
Now deduct the tax breaks.
Now deduct the infrastucture costs.
Now deduct the infrastructue costs for the 50 story buildings and 20 story hotels they want to build with the tax breaks that could finance firehouses and hospitals.
Now deduct all the dividends and compensation going to the Sunas etc. (Any info on their compensation?)
Now deduct all the big ticket salaries to people who live in the suburbs that work at the studios.
Now deduct all the writers and actors and people that live in Manhattan.
Now how much do they give to Queens?
Does it even exceed what the people of Queens payout in taxes that benefit someone else as their services suck?
I don't think so....
So close the fukn street. That neighborhood has blocks every 300 feet. Gimme a break already.
"...deduct tax breaks..."
'tax breaks' imply taxes paid at a lower rate. Still paid, lower rate. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"...deduct infrastructure costs..."
"costs" include salaries to local cops, utility workers, union workers, builders, architects, designers, lawyers, janitors, etc. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"...deduct...the tax breaks that could finance firehouses and hospitals..."
'tax breaks' imply taxes paid at a lower rate. Still paid, lower rate. If no businesses make money, than no taxes are collected. You choose: no business.
"Now deduct all the big ticket salaries...all the writers and actors and people that live in Manhattan/suburbs..."
The gigantic wall between Queens and the all other regions on earth means that revenue doesn't flood in from elsewhere, ever, right? Because no one who works or owns in LIC, Astoria, and Manhattan lives in Queens, right?
Really? Is that what you learned in school?
When myself and my neighbors get breaks on our property/income taxes because we bring big bucks to this city by spending virtually all of our $$$ here, then I will support tax breaks for these gubmint teetsuckers. Micromanaging tax policy to support pet industries while taxing the crap out of others is so Bloombergesque. How can some of you look in the mirror?
Well I can agree that I deserve a tax break as much as anyone and I will assume you deserve one, too.
While we're at it, why not cut the taxes for businesses as well? Those "gubmint teetsuckers" happen to employ a lot of people, and they're not dogcatchers, mind you - they are people who pay money to other people to do stuff for them, who turn pay money to other people...
I'm trying to think how taxing an industry out of existence whereby you can no longer collect any tax whatsoever, would help you and I.
Can you please explain that?
Besides Rosa's Pizza, where else to spend my money in Maspeth? Why bother?
In fact I've been to 2 different eye doctors in Maspeth and I will never make that mistake again. Beyond rude, beyond obnoxious, beyond incompetent.
And that's why my money's better spent elsewhere.
Beyond rude, beyond obnoxious, beyond incompetent.
-----
Huh? What are you talking about?
Sounds like a boro hall staffer when we asked what criterian was used by boro hall in making money avail. to different groups.
Should be looked into. A scandal would be exposed if someone did.
That is all I will say.
"Well I can agree that I deserve a tax break as much as anyone and I will assume you deserve one, too."
The film industry gets a tax break. I dont. Do you? How?
If Maspeth is so horrible with only one pizzeria, then why do, 'Rescue Me', 'Nurse Betty', and 'Entourage' all show up here to shut down a chunk of Grand Avenue and film??
Talking about your 'eye doctor appointments' to make a place look bad is really pathetic.
And my friend by saying "taxing an industry out of existence" is a gross lie about what I have said. I am not asking about raising taxes, I am just objecting to CUTTING TAXES OF EXISTING BUSINESSES. Why should a Hollywood production crew get a tax advantage when my local grocer, fish market, deli doesnt get the same? Explain that.
Sorry, last comment from Maspethian.
I didn't say that Maspeth has only 1 pizzeria. I meant to say that Maspeth has only one place worth dropping a few dollars to eat in. And that's Rosa's, which has the best pizza for miles. There are plenty of crappy places to eat in Maspeth but I wouldn't visit any of them twice. C'mon, Wanka? REally? Have you been to that place? This site is so concerned with crap to the eyes, but what about the crap on the plate?
...so I'm gonna you down as 1 vote FOR the film industry. They come to Maspeth because it's so "authentic", correct? And that's the only reason, right?
um mm mm
someone got someones goat.
Liberty boy - YOU'RE CLUELESS
Tax breaks mean HIGHER taxes for you AND a crumbling infrastrucure
- BOTH INSTANCES AS WE HAVE NOW.
You still don't get it!
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