My Turn: Film incentives and the economy - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

Like all good made-for-TV dramas, there's a plot twist in the never-ending discussion of whether film incentives from the General Assembly are actually helping improve North Carolina's economy.

The latest volley in this debate comes from the Fiscal Research Division of the State.  In a memo to a state senator from Mecklenburg County, the report claims no more than 70 jobs were created due to $30 million in incentives.   And they suggest more would be created by doing a tax cut across the board for all North Carolinians.

But you have to read the fine print.  This memo only measures work in 2011.  That's before the full effect of the film incentives had begun to kick in.  That's before Revolution started.  That's before Iron Man 3, Safe Haven, We're the Millers and even Under the Dome.

Here's the thing. The state committed to the incentive and now we're really starting to see the results of that wise investment.  Why back-pedal now? 

I'm not one to suggest throwing tax money at every project, but this drama could have a real bad ending if our General Assembly doesn't quickly grasp the understanding of what these incentives have to do with the larger storyline in this picture.  

That's my turn. Now it's your turn. To comment on this segment, or anything else, email me at yourturn@wect.com.

Emailed comments from viewers:

I think filming in North Carolina is a good idea gives the chance for locals to earn extra money and also a lift its up to the communities to decide how they spend the money for our local communities

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I'm 100% for the film incentives for our area but ....

Understand this is not free market capitalism, which has proven to be a failure. This is more like China and other countries which subsidize their industries.  Government subsidizes work and we need to realize and vocalize that fact.

Small businesses and most large corporations -- from big oil, Walmart, and innovative green industries -- either require or use government support. Walmart is probably the biggest example. Without food stamps and medicaid to support their underpaid employees they would have to raise prices.

My point is that we must realize that free market capitalism is a failure in America.

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