MADE IN NEW YORK

Legislation passed by the New York State Legislature extending the New York film tax credit to the year 2011 has been vetoed by Gov. Pataki. The program would have given tax credits for films and TV programs shot in New York, to encourage employment and investment. It’s part of the mayor’s “Made in New York” project.

According to the mayor’s office, “Made in New York” yielded a $1.5 billion impact in New York during 2005, creating jobs for more than 10,000 New Yorkers. Over 250 independent and studio films and a lineup of over 100 new and returning television productions shot in New York City’s streets and studios in 2005. The city’s production industry employs 100,000 New Yorkers, injects $5 billion into our economy annually, supports 4,000 local businesses and supports the city’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry by giving the city free marketing to audiences around the globe.

As Allegro went to press, the final outcome remained unclear, as the Legislature was voting to override the governor’s veto.

BLOOMBERG BOOSTS CULTURE

Mayor Bloomberg announced that a bureau at the city Economic Development Corporation will be dedicated to lure nonprofits to the city and offer assistance to those that are already here. This new bureau desk would help a wide range of entities including a real emphasis on the arts and culture.

“The creative sector gives our city its strategic advantage and competitive edge to succeed in the global economy. The rich and creative environment here not only attracts businesses but people from around the world,” said Bloomberg.

According to the city, there are 40,000 nonprofit organizations in the city, employing 720,000 people, and contributing $65 billion a year to the local economy.

“The new desk will also aggressively pitch New York City all over the world as the nation’s art and cultural capital,” Bloomberg added.

Dan Doctoroff, the deputy mayor for economic development, has said that New York City lost 894,000 residents from 2000 to 2004 and that those who left were in general better educated than those who remained. “We’re constantly having to replenish our supply of people who power this city, particularly creative people,” he said.

QUINN’S BUDGET

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced, in her first major budget speech, several new initiatives as well as calling for a more open and responsive budget process.

Some of the initiatives include:

• Recognizing the importance of early childhood education, the speaker proposed New York City’s universal pre-kindergarten program be extended from a half-day to a full day.
• With approximately 600,000 New Yorkers qualified for food stamps but not receiving them, Quinn called for allowing individuals to apply for food stamps online and make applications accessible at food pantries and soup kitchens. The speaker also called for the creation of an office of hunger and nutrition that would work to coordinate anti-hunger efforts
• Addressing the city’s manufacturing sector, Quinn also called for a tax credit for equipment purchases and increased incentives for the relocation to the city’s industrial business zones.

HILLARY TO BUSH: REVERSE IT!

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton joined nine of her Senate colleagues in writing a letter to President Bush urging him to reverse the decision to end the transition policy that requires insurance companies to cover the prescription drugs needed by seniors and disabled persons enrolled in the new Medicare prescription drug program.

In addition, Senator Clinton has released a resource guide to prescription drug coverage under Medicare, available in English and Spanish, to help New Yorkers navigate this transition. The guide has been distributed to more than 75,000 New Yorkers and is posted on Senator Clinton’s Web site at www.clinton.senate.gov.