I decided to do something different this morning. Although I feel pretty good this morning, it seems I may need to vent a little spleen. I did finish a new story yesterday. Nothing else was accomplished, not really. Well, a blog post last night. But the sinus headaches have gone.
Indiana makes a play for Hollywood (InkFreeNews.com)
Michael Hicks, professor of economics at Ball State University, was skeptical the now-transferable tax credit would entice movie producers and directors to start filming in Indiana. He said movie and television production companies choose sites for the attributes, such as scenery, that the particular location offers. Cost does not really factor into the decision-making process, when film professionals are identifying places to make the movie or episode.
Also, Hicks said, any movies that are filmed here will likely not have a huge or lasting economic effect on the state. The making of a movie does not spur new construction of hotels, restaurants or venues where people can gather, he said, so any increase in sales that local businesses notice when a film is being made in their community will evaporate when the production crew packs up and leaves town.
“You’re taking a lot of money out of the public coffers,” Hicks said of the film and movie production tax credits. “Other taxpayers are paying for this. They’re either paying for it directly or they’re subsidizing services that somebody else is using and what that ends up doing is generating a lot of costs for very little additional benefit.”
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Hicks, the Ball State economist, called the film tax credit “Republican socialism,” because the GOP is giving money to businesses. The consequence, he said, is the state will be giving a tax break and have less money to spend on roads, bridges and emergency response systems to warn about floods.
“I guess I’m just a little puzzled on the economic argument for desiring some sort of economic activity that doesn’t pay taxes,” Hicks said.
Trump-backed judge rules administration’s withholding of funds illegal
Trump and his aides have made clear he believes he has the power to “impound” — or decline to spend — some congressionally required funding if he feels it does not align with his priorities. But that view conflicts with a 51-year-old law known as the Impoundment Control Act, which bars presidents from withholding federal dollars without congressional approval.
Winner: the law. Loser: Trump, who thinks himself above the law.
‘Red meat to throw to his base’: DC residents on Trump’s police takeover
Yet Washington continues to struggle with rates of violent crime that are higher than cities with similar populations, according to the Real-Time Crime Index from AH Datalytics. Residents are used to hearing reports of violence, though much of it occurs in the city’s poorer, majority Black eastern third, far from the museums and monuments of the National Mall.
They are also used to seeing a lot of police – about 50 law enforcement agencies are already in Washington DC, ranging from the citywide Metropolitan police department (MPD) to the obscure zoo police, FBI police and Federal Reserve police, which provide security around specific agencies.
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Trump made mention of the disturbances in Navy Yard during his White House press conference, but Strege said the city had already taken steps to stop the disorder, including by instituting a night-time curfew this summer for people under 18. Trump plans to take over the police department for 30 days – right around the time schools resume, and Strege said the teenagers typically stop showing up.
Winner: Trump's propaganda machine. Loser: DC residents whose real concerns about crime will go unaddressed.
Angela Davis was a winner for intellectual integrity and freedom. The losers were those who are scared of ideas and strong Black women.
Off to the sheriff in a little over an hour. Breakfast now. Laundry later. More writing.
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