MULTI-MEDIA JOBS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED.
New bills in support of the Multimedia Jobs Act have been introduced in Lansing.
On June 28, 2023, Democratic Senators Dayna Polehanki, Erika Geiss, Paul Wojno, Veronica Klinefelt, and Jeremy Moss introduced Senate Bills 438 and 439 to amend the 1984 Michigan Strategic Fund Act.
The bills were referred to the Committee on Economic & Community Development. House Bills 4907 and 4908 support the Senate initiative. And with those simple sentences, the lives of Michiganders, especially multimedia producers, would change in dramatically positive ways for our creative economy.
Legislation, if approved, would authorize qualified productions of film and multimedia, which include - but are not limited to - all of the following multimedia categories:
Films
Commercials
Corporate videos
Music Videos
Television programs
Commercial photography
Digital media – web-based content, motion capture, animation
The Michigan Film and Digital Media Office is directed to manage the many tasks associated with promotion and operations. Now is the time to write to your Representative and Senator to support this legislation.
Click the links to help find your Michigan Representative or your Michigan Senator
In a survey conducted nationally, 77% of representatives said they preferred email as the primary communication over every other option. According to the survey feedback, many officials felt archiving Emails is easier than social media comments. Email can also be copied and sent to other staff members. Replies are easier to send via email as well.
One exception: “Please, no form letters!”
So how to send a separate and effective letter of support for multimedia incentives legislation to both your Representative and Senator? The basics are simple:
Dear [Representative / Senator / Last Name],
I am a constituent writing to express my support for the Michigan Multimedia Jobs legislation introduced in Senate Bills 438 and 439 as well as House Bills 4907 and 4908 that support Michigan film, television, commercials, music videos, and streaming productions. The incentives give preference to state-based companies that hire Michigan residents, and I’m writing to ask for your support as well.
ADD YOUR PERSONAL STORY ABOUT HOW THE INCENTIVES WOULD BENEFIT YOU
I urge you to support the Michigan Multimedia Jobs legislation and help to bring more film productions, jobs, and economic growth to our state.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Name and Address
You may include the details of the legislation that are important to you, but always make it personal. And that’s it! Expect a response, and better yet, plan to attend a legislative coffee, or you can arrange an appointment, where you can discuss the issues in person with your Representative and Senator. When it comes time for that person to vote, you want them to remember your story.
We’d love to hear it, too!
Get in touch if you would like to be part of our FMA legislative team or share your insights on the multimedia industry in West Michigan.