Philip Morris is leading a statewide push to give tax credits to theater producers who develop and preview their live shows in New York state before taking them on tour.
The goal is to bring more revenue to communities with theatres of 1,500 seats or more—or those large enough to handle the weeks of extensive planning and development that live, off-Broadway shows require before they go on the road.
Morris, CEO of Proctors in Schenectady, says New York’s failure to have incentives in place pushes production companies to develop and test their shows in neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and other states that offer the credits.
“We want to grow this engine. It is part of our cities, our downtowns and our economies,” Morris said. He estimates that one year of touring Broadway shows at Proctors generates more than $30 million for the region’s economy.
Proctors is working with other upstate New York theaters and The Broadway League, the trade association for the Broadway theater industry, to promote the tax credit.
It would be similar to New York’s new Empire State Film Production Credit that took effect July 2012. The incentive gives film producers as much as a 35-percent tax credit for all post-production services that take place in New York state.
“In many ways, what we’re proposing fits most of the governor’s ambitions,” Morris said. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he wants to promote a business-friendly atmosphere that attracts new business from other states in addition to making it easier for existing companies to grow and add jobs.
Sen. Betty Little, R-Glens Falls, plans to carry the theater tax-credit bill during the Legislature’s 2014 session.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
More tax giveaways? If this really generated $30 million lol than finally start paying a Stratton Fair Share PILOT. Morris is trying to expand his influence but no other community wants anything to do with him. Proctor's is no educational institution except on teaching other communities how to screw the taxpayers. Union AND Proctor's can both afford to pay more to the oppressed County taxpayers.
More tax giveaways? If this really generated $30 million lol than finally start paying a Stratton Fair Share PILOT. Morris is trying to expand his influence but no other community wants anything to do with him. Proctor's is no educational institution except on teaching other communities how to screw the taxpayers. Union AND Proctor's can both afford to pay more to the oppressed County taxpayers.
Did you actually READ the article CAREFULLY? Proctor's generates $30 million a year in ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE REGION -- that is the money spent by all those people (who you folks claim don't exist) who eat and shop in Schenectady when they come to see shows at Proctor's. The articles does NOT say that Proctor's itself made $30 million dollars. Proctor's is an INVESTMENT that brings people into the county and into downtown. Also, if movie producers from out of state can get tax incentives from New York State, why shouldn't we provide tax incentives for producers from New York who produce plays and shows ?
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Do you actually believe those imaginary numbers printed in the daily rag, remember all those jobs created by Metroplex that really weren't created at all. Well the $30,000,000 created by Proctors is the same as the jobs figures a figment of their imagination. Proctors is not an investment it's a black hole that swallows up every dime it can squeeze out of the taxpayers.
"We want to grow this engine. It is part of our cities, our downtowns and our economies,” Morris said. He estimates that one year of touring Broadway shows at Proctors generates more than $30 million for the region’s economy."
Right on Shadow!
This is an imaginary number Morris made up. Kinda' like a Gillen/McCheesy/Galesi fairy tale.
If Proctors brought $30 million for the 'regions economy', why did the hotel directly next to the theater (Parker Inn) go bankrupt? Why did Olenders, Bancock, Rudnicks, Mr.James, the Crepes place on Jay and other businesses fail right in the epicenter of Morris' corrupt yellow-brick-road?
I have no vested interest in downtown Schdy or Schdy taxes in any way.
Is there any positive side to the Proctors issue at all? I know it costs the taxpayers $XXXXX.XX and those decisions may have been good or bad when the project started, but today is there a positive side to Proctors in Schdy?
I've seen many comparisons of assessments and taxes in Schdy, and I have no idea if they are high/low or in between. One thing to note... Schdy was a ghost town in the 70's and the prospects were only going to get worse if nothing was done. When you compare the cost/benefits of these type of projects you should also compare what Schdy is today but also what it would have been if nothing was done.
Again, except for buying some Italian bread, occasionally attending Proctors and buying Villa Italia cannolis, I have no connection to downtown Schdy.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
I have no vested interest in downtown Schdy or Schdy taxes in any way.
Yes there is.
But the overall return is not producing what the investment intended.
The proof of that is in some of what Rachel posted. Not to mention the oppressive taxes, home prices going down, home selling prices down, and of course derelict neighborhoods all over the city. (Due to taxes going up and falling home values - few people truly keep their place well maintained versus 20+ years ago)
Metroplex is an abysmal failure - from the simplest perspective of their failure to grow the tax base.
So while there is value to Proctors and it does generate economic advantage - the insanity of the County giving Proctors money every year, no taxes paid by them, while they go out and compete with private businesses (Key Hall)... Well it really is some bizzaro world - while the rest of the city crumbles.
Philip Morris is leading a statewide push to give tax credits to theater producers who develop and preview their live shows in New York state before taking them on tour.
The goal is to bring more revenue to communities with theatres of 1,500 seats or more—or those large enough to handle the weeks of extensive planning and development that live, off-Broadway shows require before they go on the road.
Morris, CEO of Proctors in Schenectady, says New York’s failure to have incentives in place pushes production companies to develop and test their shows in neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and other states that offer the credits.
It seems to me that the economic analysis would be the difference between "testing" the shows in NYS rather than another state, vs. just running the road show at Proctors after testing in another state. I would guess that anyone that wanted to see a show at Proctors could get a ticket regardless of where the show was "tested". That being said, I guess I am missing the advantage of premiering a show in NYS regardless of a tax incentive or not. If people want to see the show, they go, if not, they don't.
And of course, King Phillip will be looking for more tax handouts to cover the cost of the admissions that were not sold.
BINGO!
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Proctor's is an INVESTMENT that brings people into the county and into downtown.
So are properly maintained roads, small government, good medical care, low taxes, low crime, great schools, higher housing values, low section 8/welfare population.......blah blah blah!!!
These should be the 'first priority' for ANY community. The 'fluff stuff' follows IF they can be sustained and supported by the community.
When the City Mission feeds more people than existing restaurants......the community has a problem!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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More tax giveaways? If this really generated $30 million lol than finally start paying a Stratton Fair Share PILOT. Morris is trying to expand his influence but no other community wants anything to do with him. 
