A controversial tax credit that awarded $420K to MTV's 'Jersey Shore' may be shot down by N.J.'s top gun
Jenni "JWoww" Farley and Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino pose in the press room at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Gov. Chris Christie has not ruled out vetoing the tax credit that awarded $420,000 to MTV's "Jersey Shore" to assist in covering production costs for the show's first season. TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has not ruled out blocking a controversial tax credit awarded last week to the hit MTV television show "Jersey Shore."
At a news conference Tuesday, the governor said he was just as surprised as the public to learn that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority had granted a $420,000 film tax credit — later coined the ‘Snooki subsidy’ — to the company that produced the inaugural season of "Jersey Shore."
But in setting the record straight, Christie perked up like a winner at Boardwalk game of chance, and took a free shot at state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), who had criticized the governor for granting the credit.
Christie — a vocal critic of the show and the tax incentive program — said his office would review the actions of the authority once his office receives the minutes of the meeting and decide whether to veto the tax credit.
Last week a spokesman for Christie, Michael Drewniak, said the governor could not veto the authority’s action. But the governor said Tuesday that Drewniak was mistaken. Based on the program’s guidelines, Christie has until at least the end of the week to make a decision.
News of the award drew widespread attention — and guffaws — and prompted calls from state legislators and a national coalition of Italian Americans for Christie to veto the authority’s action, as he has done when semi-autonomous bodies have taken actions that run afoul of his policies.
One critic of the credit was Sarlo, who is usually a public supporter of the film tax credit program — but who used this instance to bash Christie.
"Let us just hope against hope that New Jersey taxpayers don’t end up paying for Snooki’s bail the next time she is arrested," Sarlo said last week. "What a terrible, terrible and misguided waste."
Christie pointed out Tuesday that Sarlo was the sponsor of a bill earlier this year that would have greatly expanded the program, which gives film and television production companies a 20 percent tax credit on expenses.
Christie vetoed the measure.
TV personality Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. in August. "If I signed the law, maybe the other seasons of ‘Jersey Shore’ would’ve gotten a tax credit," Christie said. "He sponsors the law, now he complains the way his law was applied. We were just following the law."
Taking the opportunity to tweak Sarlo, he said the senator "would probably be good at playing ‘Twister,’ given all of his contortions."
In response to the governor’s comments, Sarlo, said, "I would never play Twister with him."
He said Christie’s refusal to expand the tax credit program has driven quality television shows from the state and attracted a low-quality show like "Jersey Shore."
"We need major networks, with major shows that are willing to invest in jobs and infrastructure," Sarlo said.
"Jersey Shore" is the most widely watched show in MTV’s history.
The approval was part of the first round of film tax credits awarded by the development agency since Christie suspended the program in 2010 to close a budget deficit. The application was submitted and accepted under the previous administration. The award went to 495 Productions, which said it spent $2.1 million in New Jersey producing the show’s first season.
Officials from Seaside Heights, where it was filmed, have said the show’s popularity brought a surge in business in the blue-collar shore town.
Related coverage:
• Angry N.J. politicians urge Gov. Christie to veto $420K film tax credit for MTV's 'Jersey Shore'
• N.J. Sen. Sarlo says Gov. Christie's veto of film tax credit program drove quality TV out of state
• N.J. state Senator asks Gov. Christie to veto $420K 'Jersey Shore' production tax credit
• N.J. taxpayers picking up $420K to cover 'Jersey Shore' production costs