Capitol News

Senator Joseph Bellino has introduced a set of six bills in the Michigan Senate aimed at eliminating the state’s film office and shifting the approach to economic development. The legislation is part of a broader package that seeks to end what Bellino describes as ineffective corporate incentives and government agencies, including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

“This is about putting Michigan workers and taxpayers first by finally ending the failed policies of corporate handouts and ineffective government agencies like the Michigan film office,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “The MEDC has a long track record of waste, fraud and abuse. For more than two decades, the MEDC has given away billions of taxpayer dollars — often with little or nothing to show for it. Even their so-called successes don’t deliver on the jobs and investments promised.”

The proposed bills—Senate Bills 637, 642, 648, 652, 661, and 669—include measures to remove earmarks from specific funds related to job creation and redirect money into Michigan’s general fund. Additional provisions would eliminate both the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office and references to film credits in various state laws.

“After squandering $500 million, Michigan’s reckless film credits were supposed to have been eliminated a decade ago, but — like many government programs — the zombie film office and the careless credits just won’t die,” Bellino said.

These bills are part of a larger group totaling 53 pieces of legislation (SBs 631 through 683) designed to reduce financial risks by discontinuing certain programs while transferring productive activities into a newly established Bureau of Fair Competition and Free Enterprise within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. This new bureau would be responsible for closing out current MEDC commitments while continuing some redevelopment efforts such as brownfield projects and renaissance zones. There would be caps placed on new renaissance zone projects: $50 million per project over no more than fifteen years; this authority would sunset after five years pending reevaluation.

Oversight would also be increased by creating an independent Office of the Chief Compliance Officer tasked with developing, monitoring, and enforcing standards intended to prevent illegal or unethical practices.

“After adding more accountability and stopping wasteful corporate giveaways, we also need to look at what is working to attract new jobs and investment in other states — lower taxes, more freedom and less government interference — and do that here in Michigan,” Bellino said.