MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Film incentive supporters are questioning why state government is promoting locations where the Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" was filmed when the governor wants to eliminate the tax breaks for filming.
Much of Gov. Jim Doyle's criticism of the incentives centers on the economic impact of "Public Enemies," the Depression-era cops and robbers film starring Depp and Christian Bale. The state Department of Commerce said the film only brought in $5 million in economic development but cost the state $4.6 million in tax refunds.
On Monday, the state Department of Tourism posted itineraries on its Web site of state locales from the movie and of those related to other notorious criminals, such as Al Capone, as well as an illustrated map and video guide.
"It is a bit curious that one branch of government (commerce) has almost tried to make Johnny Depp Public Enemy Number One, while another branch of government (tourism) wisely sees new dollars coming into the state coffers if the film is successful," wrote Scott Robbe, head of the state's film office, in an e-mail.
Doyle wants to eliminate the state's program that grants tax incentives up to 25 percent of what is spent in the state, saying it is too costly in light of a record-high $5.7 billion budget shortfall. He's proposing grants of up to $500,000 per year for projects that create permanent jobs.
"Public Enemies" crews filmed in Milwaukee, Madison, Oshkosh, Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus, Darlington, Beaver Dam, and around Mirror Lake in Wisconsin, and Crown Point, Ind., Chicago and Los Angeles.
Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble said Doyle and the departments of commerce and tourism are interested in creating "a long-term sustainable film infrastructure, one that creates permanent jobs and promotes creativity and rewards Wisconsin companies."
"Regardless of how a film production ends up in our state either organically or incented, the Department of Tourism will work hard to maximize every opportunity to promote Wisconsin's role in films and will be creative in establishing tie-ins that pay dividends long after the wrap party," she said.
Tourism spokeswoman Lisa Marshall said the department hasn't broken out how much the "Public Enemies" campaign will cost.
In an e-mail statement, Zach Brandon, executive secretary for the Commerce Department, said the department is always supportive of the tourism department's marketing efforts. Also, he said the tourism department has promoted gangster sites for years.
"We would expect these efforts to occur regardless of where the filming occurs," he said. "However, these marketing efforts have no bearing on our analysis that shows that for every film job we subsidize with taxpayer dollars, we could create 20 advanced manufacturing jobs."
The Legislature's budget-writing committee, the Joint Finance Committee, is expected to vote Thursday on Doyle's proposal or possible alternatives. Doyle will have to sign off on any changes.
State Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, wants to revise the current program to close loopholes, reward hiring Wisconsin workers and place a cap on the credits.
Dave Fantle, spokesman for VISIT Milwaukee, applauded the tourism department's promotion of the movie, but he called it ironic. He said he knew that a big film like this had the potential to bring in loads of tourism dollars, especially after seeing how Iowa tourism had been positively affected after "Field of Dreams" and "Bridges of Madison County."
He called big films like that, "the gift that keeps on giving."
According to the Department of Commerce, the estimated total amount in tax credits that the state expects to give 11 qualified productions for 2008 is more than $6.3 million.
Productions get tax breaks on wages paid to employees to produce a film, video, electronic game, broadcast advertisement, or television program in the state. Credits for sales tax, construction, wardrobes, clothing and visual effects also are included.
Commerce doesn't have final numbers on how much productions brought to the state in its first year. But Robbe, of Film Wisconsin, estimated they brought in $50 million of wages, tourism, investments and new businesses for the 16 television shows, eight feature films and two video games. Robbe's numbers include spending not eligible for tax credits, like tourism, so it's likely his and commerce's numbers will be different.
"The potential economic impact that is going to be coming from this film is in no commerce department equation," Fantle said.
There's no way to tell for sure how much the incentives brought in because there's no infrastructure in place to determine that, Robbe said.
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