LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Thursday introduced six bills to cut the state’s film office as part of a comprehensive effort to eliminate the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and reshape the state’s approach to job creation.
“This is about putting Michigan workers and taxpayers first by finally ending the failed policies of corporate handouts and ineffective government agencies like the Michigan film office,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “The MEDC has a long track record of waste, fraud and abuse. For more than two decades, the MEDC has given away billions of taxpayer dollars — often with little or nothing to show for it. Even their so-called successes don’t deliver on the jobs and investments promised.”
Bellino’s measures are Senate Bills 637, 642, 648, 652, 661 and 669. The first bill would remove a Michigan Strategic Fund earmark in the 21st Century Jobs Fund and move funding to the state’s general fund. The other five bills would eliminate the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office and cut film credit language currently included in four separate state acts.
“After squandering $500 million, Michigan’s reckless film credits were supposed to have been eliminated a decade ago, but — like many government programs — the zombie film office and the careless credits just won’t die,” Bellino said.
Bellino’s legislation is part of a 53-bill package to reduce the risk of bad investments by eliminating several ineffective programs and moving productive functions to a newly created bureau that would include an independent compliance officer to help monitor how the state invests taxpayer money related to economic development.
SBs 631 through 683 would:
- Eliminate the MEDC, Michigan Strategic Fund, Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund, Strategic Site Readiness Program, the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office and other programs. Money dedicated to the MEDC and Michigan Strategic Fund would be returned to the state’s general fund.
- Create the Bureau of Fair Competition and Free Enterprise within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to wrap up existing MEDC obligations and continue several effective programs such as brownfield redevelopment and renaissance zones. New renaissance zone projects would be subject to $50 million and 15-year limits, and the act would sunset after five years so it can be reevaluated.
- Strengthen oversight by establishing an Office of the Chief Compliance Officer to operate independently of the new bureau. The compliance office would assist with creating, monitoring and enforcing policies to prevent illegal and unethical conduct.
“After adding more accountability and stopping wasteful corporate giveaways, we also need to look at what is working to attract new jobs and investment in other states — lower taxes, more freedom and less government interference — and do that here in Michigan,” Bellino said.
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