2013-01

Promoting Job Creation and Economic Diversification Through Attraction and Expansion of Film, Television and Digital Media Production

Senator Juan Pichardo (RI) Business and Economic Development Task Force

WHEREAS, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) believes that our nation's economic future, and that of the Hispanic Community, will be strongly influenced by industries that succeed through innovation, technology and creativity in a global marketplace; and

WHEREAS, NHCSL recognizes the film, television and digital media industry embodies all of these critical attributes, serves as an important platform for delivering culturally relevant news, information and entertainment to an important and growing U.S. Hispanic population, and is one of our nation's most important sources of good jobs at a range of skills levels; and

WHEREAS, NHCSL recognizes that film, television and digital media production activity sparks industry-related infrastructure development that serves to revitalize communities and sustains and helps grow thousands of small businesses that support the industry's varied production needs as well as attracts millions of tourism dollars from audiences around the world drawn to urban and rural production locations; and

WHEREAS, NHCSL recognizes there are aggressive efforts by a growing number of foreign governments providing incentives to attract film, television and digital media production, resulting in the loss of more than $10 billion in production activity annually and more than 50,000 jobs each year;

WHEREAS, NHCSL supports local, State and Federal Government efforts to retain and expand film, television and digital media production in our country to ensure the broad economic, social and cultural benefits generated by this dynamic industry are not lost to foreign locations and rather support U.S. communities; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NHCSL educate its members and avail themselves of opportunities to educate others on the importance of the adoption of policies and programs to attract and sustain film, television and digital media production as a source of good job opportunities in Hispanic communities not only in production, but production supporting businesses as well as related industries such as tourism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NHCSL supports government-aided economic development benefitting urban and rural communities including job training, such as Production Assistant Programs; incentives for the construction of new, or repurposing of existing, structures for production industry activity, such as investment tax credits or grants; the reduction or elimination of administrative burdens, such as waiver of permits and fees for production, and most critically, direct incentives for production activity;

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that NHCSL supports government-aided economic development benefiting urban and rural communities including job training, such as Production Assistant programs, as well as the establishment of our workforce development fund, the industry will support to ensure resources are available to cultivate the necessary skills for growing the industry workforce among members of the Hispanic and other minority communities;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NHCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, Members of Congress, State Legislatures and Governors.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED ON APRIL 20, 2013, AT THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, PENSYLVANIA AND RATIFIED ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013 AT THE NHCSL ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.
SPONSORED BY: Senator Juan Pichardo (RI)