MICHAEL D.

DOVILLA
18 TH DISTRICT ______

VERNE R IFFE CENTER

77 S OUTH HIGH S TREET, 12 TH F LOOR COLUMBUS, OH 43215-6111
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ECONOMIC & SMALL B USINESS DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, V ICE-CHAIRMAN STATE GOVERNMENT & E LECTIONS W AYS & MEANS P OLICY, CHAIRMAN

T: (614) 466-4895
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F: (614) 719-6957

Ohio General Assembly

House of Representatives Columbus

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DISTRICT18@OHR .STATE.OH.US

Statement of Representative Mike Dovilla Regarding Motion Picture Tax Credit (H.B. 521) George Washington Williams Room State House, Columbus Wednesday, April 18, 2012 It has been a privilege to work with Senator Patton, whose foresight on this issue in 2009 laid the groundwork for the legislation we are announcing today legislation I believe will have a profound economic impact across our state and on Greater Cleveland in particular. Candi Clouse has spoken eloquently about the positive return on investment Ohio has realized from the existing film tax credit, and more importantly, its impact on local businesses. As a small business owner in Northeast Ohio, I know firsthand how difficult the past few years have been. In fact, this past January I hosted a Jobs Summit in Strongsville which attracted restaurant owners, retail merchants, and construction and building trade workers, among many other occupations. One of the themes that underscored our dialogue was the importance of sound economic policies that provide some degree of certainty in an often uncertain marketplace. We all know that industry does not just appear in a state. It takes a commitment by our elected officials to ensure sound public policy is in place to create a stable environment in which an industry can flourish, create jobs, and generate new and better opportunities for the residents of our state to prosper. Over the last 15 months, decisive action and bold policy initiatives by this General Assembly and governor have resulted in the creation of over 82,000 Ohio jobs. Now is not the time to be telling the film industry that Ohio is not open for business. Now is the time that we step up to the plate and demonstrate that we are committed to fostering an environment which will support this industry and the myriad economic sectors that support it. Allow me to highlight three examples of such success during recent film production in Northeast Ohio: Fast Signs, a local, female-owned franchise, saw a $40,000 increase in revenue, which lead to nine staff members working overtime. Michael Symons restaurants realized about $15,000 in increased revenue concentrated at Lola on East 4th Street and occasionally kept their doors open after hours to accommodate actors and production crews. Teamsters called over 100 members who were on unemployment back to work making union wages. One member was even able to save his house from foreclosure because of the new work.

More jobs, more economic development, and more working families earning a living wage. As depicted on our state seal, the sun is starting to rise again in Ohio. Expanding proven, common sense initiatives like the film tax credit will continue to ensure Ohios place on a path to prosperity.