Joe Vitale supports the film tax credit but said the state should not reward a television show that paints the state in a negative light
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The cast of "The Jersey Shore" shown at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, are being helped out by N.J. taxpayers, who are paying the show's inaugural season's production costs. TRENTON —A Democratic state Senator and a national coalition of Italian Americans are calling upon Gov. Chris Christie to block a tax credit awarded Wednesday to the production company of the hit MTV television show “Jersey Shore.”
“It is disparaging to Italian Americans. He should veto it, ” said state Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex), a frequent critic of the show who supports the film tax credit but said the state should not reward a television show that paints the state in negative light.
Andre’ DiMino, President of Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition, an anti-bias organization of more than 5,000 members. said, “The Economic Development Authority has abrogated the public trust by awarding a tax credit to a show that not only stereotypes Italians, but promotes violence, and cast members who revel in openly breaking the law."
He added, “Public monies should never be used to subsidize and promote violence, criminal behavior and ethnic stereotyping. This is disgraceful, and we are calling upon Governor Christie and all our legislators to immediately stop the tax credit for ‘Jersey Shore.’ ”
Responding to the calls, Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said, “The Governor cannot veto EDA action that is in compliance with non-discretionary, existing law…. The bottom line is that the governor has not been in favor of this tax credit, and this and other applications were in the pipeline from the prior administration."
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved the $420,000 film tax credit for for the 2009 production of the inaugural season of the hit television show. The approval was part of the first round of film tax credits awarded by the EDA since Gov. Chris Christie suspended the program in 2010 to close budget deficit.
Christie is no fan of the show, and he has flexed his muscle in the past and vetoed the minutes of various authority meetings, mainly when he has ethical concerns about the agency’s actions.
In a statement Wednesday, Drewniak said, "The Governor’s opinions about Jersey Shore and its New Yorker cast are well-known. They are phonies and the show is a false portrayal of New Jersey and our shore communities.”
He added that the governor “has also been clear about his belief that film tax credit programs are not the most effective way to spur economic growth throughout the state."
Drewniak stressed that barring pornographic content the tax credit is awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis based on guidelines that are blind to content. He noted the application was in the pipeline from the prior administration.
News of the award Wednesday elicited colorful reactions from some of the critics of the tax incentive program.
"I can’t believe we are paying for fake tanning for ‘Snooki’ and ‘The Situation’, and I am not even sure $420,000 covers that," said Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). "This is a great investment for the taxpayers, as if they can make a show called ‘Jersey Shore’ anywhere else."
But Seaside Heights Mayor P. Kenneth Hershey said the state investment pays big local dividends, which is the goal of the tax credit.
"The boost to the economy certainly shows, when they are here this place is busy," said Hershey. "A lot of the business folks here appreciate that."
The summary of the show in the EDA application makes it sound almost clean-cut: "The film is about eight roommates. There is no screenplay. The roommates live in a house and are asked to work in a local establishment on the New Jersey Coast. The cameras capture the interaction among the roommates and how the roommates interact at work and at play in Seaside Heights."
Previous coverage:
• N.J. taxpayers picking up $420K to cover 'Jersey Shore' production costs