Michigan Close To Extending Film Incentives After House Approval

LANSING (AP) - Michigan is close to revising its incentives program used to entice the production of movies and TV shows in the state.

The House Thursday night voted 73-37 to make changes like requiring more Michigan residents to be hired on crews and letting TV shows get continued state aid.
The bill also would lift a $2 million-per-employee cap on salaries counted as expenditures that can be reimbursed by the state.

Critics call the incentives a "boondoggle." Supporters say it's an important industry to build in Michigan.

Michigan once had some of the country's most generous film incentives. They were scaled back in 2011.

The bill going back to the Senate for final approval would end the program in seven years unless lawmakers extend it. It's now scheduled to stop in 2017.