Wisconsin Moves Closer to Game Developer Tax Break
In Wisconsin the phrase "gimme a break" now means something to game developers.
In January, Game Politics noted that digital-savvy Wisconsin legislators were proposing competitive tax breaks and additional business incentives in order to attract game developers and other creative industries to the state. Ironically, at the same time, another legislator was pushing a bill to regulate games sales to minors.
Last week the Journal Times reported that the Wisconsin legislature's Joint Finance Committee passed the tax-incentive package which covers the film, television, commercial, and video game industries. The committee voted 15-1 in favor of the bill. A decisive floor vote will take place later this month.
Major backers of the tax break bill include Republican co-sponsors Sen. Ted Kanavas and Rep. Curt Gielow, as well as Democratic Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton.
MV: You won't find many who are against this bill here in Wisconsin, primarily due to starry-eyed residents who love big media and its deep pocketbook. Local revenues were recently cited in upwards of $20 million for the film Mr. 3000
, which was only partially filmed in Wisconsin. The bottom line for game developers? Bring your company to Wisconsin. You'll eat more cheese and pay less taxes.
-Reporting from Wisconsin, GP Correspondent Monica "Daemonchild" Valentinelli.