Democrats Fume Hollywood Not in Tax Bill

[Kadie]

Democrats Fume Hollywood Not in Tax Bill

6 minutes ago Politics - U. S. Congress


By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A corporate tax bill nearing passage leaves out Hollywood's top priority — and Democrats are fuming that the GOP is punishing movie studios for hiring a Democrat as their top lobbyist.



The bill would repeal a tax break for American companies that has been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization (news - web sites) and replace it with more than $140 billion in tax breaks for numerous businesses.


Under a Senate version of the bill, movie studios were in line for $1 billion or more in replacement tax credits. But congressional Republicans voted the credits out of the bill in a House-Senate conference committee on Wednesday night.


Some Democrats said the movie industry is getting a raw deal. They contend Republicans are unhappy with liberal Hollywood in general and at the decision by the Motion Picture Association of America to hire former Democratic Rep. Dan Glickman as its chief lobbyist in July.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041007/ap_on_go_co/corporate_taxes_hollywood_1

[pelagius]

1. Pure partisanship...

...I'm against corporate welfare in general, but, hey, if you're going to do it, make sure the industry that creates one of America's most important exports gets a piece of the pie.

[chimpy the poopthrower]

2. And at least one Republican is basically admitting it.

Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La., a conference committee member, said not all companies are getting tax credits that will fully replace the export tax breaks that being repealed....

"The movie industry, unfortunately, is one of those that will receive less in many instances," McCrery said. "Now is that fair or unfair? I don't think that's a proper characterization."

McCrery said he did not think it would have made a difference if a Republican were leading the industry's lobbying effort.

"Should any lobbying organization take into account who's in the majority? I think that would be wise," McCrery said. "But I don't mean to imply that they shouldn't have hired (Democrat) Dan Glickman. What they might want to do now is bolster their staff under Dan with Republicans. I just think that's common sense."


By the way, the only Democrat they actually quote regarding this legislation is a single congressman from the LA region. And even he doesn't sound angry so much as simply answering an inquiry as to whether or not he thinks the Republicans left out Hollywood on purpose. But, hey, as long as the AP can paint a picture of Dems being in bed with Hollywood, what does the truth matter?

[aquart]

3. Who is running against Mr. McCrery?

And perhaps he might want to consider how this spoiler system will work when his party is NOT in power?

We MUST replace this appallingly corrupt Congress.

[patdem]

4. So what he is basically saying is that America is neither a Democracy

nor a Representative government...what it is is rule by mob? If they completely ignore ALL Democrats because they are in the majority...that is rule by MOB!

[Amigust]

5. Maybe Hollywood can make sure it blows back in their faces.

eom

[DeepModem Mom]

6. They don't buy ink by the barrel, but they buy film in bulk -- however...

the studio heads may cave, and crack down, and fall in line.