Dear Supporters and Members of TXMPA,
It was a late night photo-finish-to-the-end in the Capitol, but the
Appropriations Bill passed with the $22 million in funding for the
film incentive grants. On Monday afternoon, May 28, 2007, the Speaker
of the House and the Lt. Governor signed the bill. The last step is
to have the Governor sign the bill. We do not anticipate a veto from
the Governor. He has been very supportive of this initiative.
We have a program and the money!
Thank you all very much for all your efforts. Together we
accomplished the nearly impossible task of creating legislation in
Texas. Our grass roots organizing and the wise counsel from HillCo
Partners, our lobbying firm, have produced an incentive program to
keep Texans working in our industry. Please give yourselves a
standing ovation.
I want to recognize the efforts of our two legislative heroes who
carried our bills. Representative Dawnna Dukes and Senator Bob Deuell
fought hard for this program. Please thank them profusely.
Special thanks go out to HillCo Partners for their tenacity and
expertise. In particular, two gentlemen worked closely with us:
Brandon Aghamalian and Lawrence Collins. These two understood the
severity of our problem in Texas and also understood we had to change
the situation right now. They fought for us around the clock. In
addition, Snapper Carr, Buddy Jones, Bill Miller, Vilma Luna, Erica
Christmas, and many others in the office provided direction, support,
friendship, and lots of hand holding, when necessary.
Thanks also go to the Texas Film Commissioner Bob Hudgins and the
Deputy Director Carol Pirie. Their input and data gathering greatly
assisted the process. This office will administer the new program and
we expect they will be busy.
State Comptroller Susan Combs (and her staff), Committee Chairman
Harvey Hildebran (and his staff), Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (and
his staff), and Governor Rick Perry (and his staff, especially Phil
Wilson), all assisted in substantive ways.
There are many others behind the scenes who assisted. My thanks go
out to all.
There is still lot of work to be done between now and the next
legislative session in January, 2009. TXMPA will assist in marketing
the new program and we need to monitor the results of these grants.
We need to pursue an Economic Impact Study and examine other
incentives to consider. We have become THE voice for the industry in
Texas at the Capitol.
We will continue to keep you posted through our Web site
(www.txmpa.org) and we will continue to fight for you, the members of
the industry in Texas. And yes, we still need donations. Please
consider making one today through our Web site (www.txmpa.org) or by
mail (P.O. Box 40339, Austin, TX 78704).
Lastly, I hope to see all of you at the TXMPA Annual Membership
Meeting. It will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2007 in Austin. The
meeting will begin late morning. Specifics on location and time will
be released this week. Please save the date.
Again, congratulations to all. Pop the champagne!
Hector Garcia
Texas Motion Picture Alliance, President
Dallas Film Commission - 325 N. St. Paul St. Suite 700 - Dallas TX 75201 - 214.571.1050 - www.filmdfw.com
