HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-28 Letter to Gilbert Keith-Agaran and Jill Tokuda re HB 423, HD 2 SD 1 relating to Film and Digital Media Industry Development os
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Barbara J.Kossow
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March 28, 2017
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Chair
Committee on Judiciary and Labor
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Keith-Agaran, Chair Tokuda, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 423, HD 2 SD 1
Relating to Film and Digital Media Industry Development
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of the intent of HB 423, HD2,
SDI.
As my Director of Research and Development testified in a previous committee
on HB 423, HD 2:
"The film industry is something most everyone can support. But the world
recognizes its value as well, and the competition is fierce. Therefore extending the
production tax credit is critical to the health of the state's film, media and supporting
creative industry sectors. Without the extension of the credit, not only production-related
work will be impacted, but the likelihood of a public/private partnership to develop new
industry infrastructure will be stalled.
Since the cost of production is typically higher on the neighbor islands, increasing
the tax credit for counties with a population of 700,000 or less will enable us to be more
competitive and attractive to the production industry. And creating additional incentives
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Keith-Agaran/Tokuda
March 28, 2017
Page 2
for hiring locally will provide more production related jobs for residents. This will
incentivize the industry to hire locally rather than import workers."
Please act favorably on HB 423.
Respectfully submitted,
eLitilaN
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.