I offer this comment through the lens of my 32-year experience as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in both urban and suburban emergency services systems. I deeply appreciate the Committee considering HB 1522 Income tax, state; subtractions for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. Volunteer emergency services agencies comprise the large majority of those agencies providing critical emergency services to community members in the Commonwealth. For example, 70.6% of fire departments in the Commonwealth are 100% staffed by volunteers (U.S. Fire Administration). Consistent with national trends, emergency services agencies in the Commonwealth have been stuck by a long decline in membership and members whose length-of-service has progressively declined. A key factor for these declines is a lack of tangible incentive for these benevolent volunteers to off-set rising personal costs of volunteering (uniforms, fuel, equipment, and use of personal vehicles), and the increasing demands of continuing education to maintain certification(s). The shrinking membership in turn places the response burden on a smaller group of volunteers thereby accelerating burn-out and separation from service. Quite simply, the factors that make ongoing participation “worth it" are outweighed by those “not worth it” factors. At the end of the day, it is the surrounding community who is impacted by way of limited availability of emergency resources, prolonged waiting times for resources from an adjacent community, and less experienced volunteers engaged in response activities. To staunch these losses, individual agencies and volunteer associations have lead initiatives, but with low resulting impact as seen by the continued decline year over year. HB 1522 is broader legislation as compared to prior legislative measures impacting smaller groups of volunteers (tax incentive for volunteers who own a home or a vehicle), and would indeed incentivize participation and longevity in volunteer emergency services in the Commonwealth. Given the tax surpluses seen in recent years, the low fiscal impact of this legislation, and the benefit to the community, this is smart legislation that needs to be resoundingly supported.

I am writing in strong support of HB1522. I have lived in Virginia for nearly a decade and I serve as an officer in the Virginia Defense Force (https://vdf.virginia.gov/), one of the bona fide volunteer organizations that would benefit from this bill. However, I write this comment as a private citizen and not in any way on behalf of the VDF or in any official capacity. The VDF is an all-volunteer force with a very limited budget. We are always seeking to recruit more members and to retain our current members. Many of these volunteers, including myself, volunteer hundreds of hours each year without any compensation. Many of us also provide our own uniforms, equipment, and personal vehicles at our own expense. This bill would be a huge help to VDF members and encourage many more Virginians to volunteer their time providing critical services to the Commonwealth. Please support this bill. Thank you.

My name is Nathan Haslim, a Warrant Officer (WO1) with the Virginia Defense Force (VDF), Cyber Battalion. First and foremost, please allow me to make it extremely clear that I speak on behalf of myself as a private citizen, not on behalf of the VDF or other VDF members, and my opinion on this matter it my own and should not be construed with VDF in any other way. I have also not been asked nor dissuaded from writing nor offering petition. I am not on active duty, nor have any pending orders. However, I do speak as a person with experience inside the VDF, with positive feelings and patriotism towards our state and citizens. Eeach VDF soldier may have their own uninfluenced position. That being said, I am here to speak in strong support of HB1522, "Income tax, state; subtractions for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel". As a member of the VDF, one of the specifically enumerated groups defined in the bill as a bonafide volunteer organization, I can confirm that this bill is strongly beneficial and deserving to our such groups. We drill once a month at various locations across the commonwealth, sometimes near, sometime far, and often the fuel, food, and incidentals are left to our expense. Also, about four times a year, some drive even further to drill as a larger unit, again with fuel nor mileage compensated, but thankfully meals and general billets. On the occasion that we are activated for state duty by the Governor, we are generally compensated via per diem, for core expenses, but not all items. Drilling aside, as an officer, we are expected to commission our own uniforms at our own expense, including a couple sets of battle dress 'fatigues', a formal dress-blue uniform, much of the accessories and personal insignia, and other requested field gear used for drills and activations. The VDF is an amazing volunteer force. We are "Virginia helping Virginians". I like to refer to them as a 'Volunteer's Volunteer', because we do so very much for the commonwealth without much expectation of compensation nor favor. Since serving in the unit from July 2020 until present, I have been on at least 3 activations of a week each, away from paid work, on missions to help defend our cyber infrastructure during the elections, and afterward. We are afforded per diem based on our rank and time in service, but I feel this may not be enough, especially for our junior enlisted troops, who are also experts in cyber technology. I am also a long-time member of the Fairfax Community Emergency Response Program (CERT), under the management umbrella of FEMA, but there too we are all unpaid volunteers. The number of miles that I have driven between both organizations is will into the thousands. CERT is also a group of pure, whole-hearted volunteers, ready to serve without compensation. While some counties have embraced county-level vehicle tax credits, unfortunately not all of them, namely my very own Fairfax County, despite my best efforts for the past three years. This bill helps meet such citizen-servants where it should have for a long time, and makes up for other counties who do not recognize or honor bonafide volunteer organizations and residents who give so very much for so very little. Please help out some of the greatest-of-the-great across Virginia, and support this bill to reduce their tax burden after they've already done so much for Virginia for free. Thank you, and Sic Semper Tyrannis! -Mr Nathan Haslim

As a resident of Richmond, VA. I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts

I am in favor of HB1767. My father works in the film industry, as do many of our friends. As many other states increase their funding for this industry, it is important for Virginia to continue to offer good tax credits and keep the work here in the Commonwealth. With our varied topography and architecture, our state has what this industry desires. Let's keep Virginia competitive for this industry.

As a life-long resident of Arlington, Virginia I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often but often have to take work in Maryland in order to pay my mortgage. Even though I have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts -J

Please support ANY film incentives for the va film community. Thank you 🙏

Virginia is a wonderful state to film. I would love to see more money come into the state from these productions. It is alway great for the local economies. Also, as I am a mom of a videographer who would love to film in his home state to be close to his new son and wife, I highly support this bill. Thank you for increasing tax credits so Virginia can be more competitive with other states.

Hello, I'm writing in support of Bill HB1767. I'm lucky to work in film industry and live in the beautiful state of state of Virginia. I have to travel and leave my family far too often for work then I'd like. Raising our annual tax credit program would be a great step in getting productions to film in our wonderful state and allow us here to work and showcase our talents and devotion. Thank you for considering Local 600 Union member

I am a native Virginian and a filmmaker. I once lived and worked in Hollywood, but I came home. It's difficult enough to make motion pictures in Virginia as it is. But it doesn't have to be that hard. I directed and produced a feature film last year. We shot in Alexandria and McLean. I paid crew payroll. I paid actors. We fed our crew and actors from local restaurants. My one out of town actor paid to stay in a hotel. I rented gear and locations in Virginia.. Making films is a business. Dollars are multiplied and spread out in the community. A larger film incentive is desperately needed. There's a reason Georgia offers a generous tax credit. Literally billions of dollars are generated by film production in that state. My hope is that Virginia will increase its incentive and continue to help this industry. Thanks, Mike Taylor Alexandria, VA

Dear Legislators, I am writing to ask you to support HB 1767 Reid as well as all other proposals to help us continue to grow the film and television production industry in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. At the present time, we cannot compete with the incentives our neighboring states are offering. I have been a Virginia resident for over 17 years. There are thousands of people like me who live here, raise our families, and pay our taxes here. Our workforce includes skilled technicians, production staff, drivers and trained actors. We work with all kinds of local vendors during our productions and have a tremendous positive impact to our state and local communities. We are not a fly by night industry. Our workforce has been here for years and are considered some of the best technicians in the country. I love living and working in Virginia, but unless we are given a fighting chance to compete with our neighboring states, myself and others like me will have to look elsewhere for employment. The backbone of the multibillion-dollar film industry in Georgia is made up of Virginia technicians who relocated there during the last recession in 2008. Unless you act now, this tragedy will happen again, and it will be a crushing blow to our industry. Thank you so much for your consideration. sincerely, Paul W. Thomas

Hello. Thank you for reading this. I’m a local film worker here in Virginia and have been doing this for 35 years. It’s a good way to make a living and it employs many people and helps so many businesses in Virginia. We could make this industry huge here if more folks understand how much income this could make for Virginia! The entertainment industry is one of the USA’s biggest exports too. Please let’s make it big in this awesome State!! Thank you Please support HB1767 Jamie Bishop

My name is Jeanne Bishop. I am writing in support of HB 1767.    I’m a longtime Virginia resident, member of the Virginia film crew community and I.A.T.S.E. Local 487 for over 20 years. My eldest son and his father also work in film here in Virginia. Because of this, we have a good living wage and health insurance in an economy that often leaves Virginians struggling. The tax revenue from those working on the production, sales tax, and goods and services that film generates for our state  is substantial.   We have a large skilled film crew base and a beautiful historic state but we lose Productions to Georgia, and the considerable money they bring,  over and over again because Georgia offers so much more in tax incentives. We also lose our crew members who move to states like Georgia and their contributions because of it. We need to be competitive with other states if we want to improve our economy and film production is an important one. We have the infrastructure and workers. Let’s make Virginia a magnet for this ever growing industry.    Thank you for your time and please support HB1767. 

I'm from Virginia. I can't work in Virginia. I work in New York City, but not my homestate- where my parents get older. No, I go to New Jersey, and think about getting a house, but I don't- not yet. I'm from Virginia, but I can't work here. I spent 5 months in NYC last year. 5 months, renting air bnbs, crashing on couches and paying my rent for my apartment in a Richmond. Running circles around studio mechanics in The Big Apple because we are really really good in the Mid Atlantic - some of the best. But, I've had 5 phenomenal Virginia studio mechanics move to NYC last year and 3 move to Atlanta. We're almost short staffed again. "Train in Virginia. Work in New York" I love Virginia. I'd like a family, a dog, and a home here. But, how am I to do that if I'm gone for half the year? Please. Please bring work to Virginia through Bill 1767. The money doesn't go to Hollywood it goes to a guy like me. Who has his aging parents here and is a 3rd generation Virginian. I have family buried in Hollywood Cemetery. My mother a nurse at Henrico Doctors. Let a Virginian son come home - and let his work help the economy of Virginia and allow it to blossom. Let the film incentive bring in revenue like Capital One and Car Max. It's a move that benefits everyone on both sides of the aisle. Thank you, Dylan Pembleton dylanpembleton@gmail.com 804-763-9057

As a resident of Glen Allen , I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. With this bill I don’t have to spend time away from my family traveling and chasing jobs. I have talked to so many in VA that love to be here in the area, live here and show what VA has to offer we just need help! This is not a Hollywood hand out! It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts

I am a camera assistant and member of the Local 600 International Cinematographer's Guild, who got their start in Richmond, VA. Virginia has so much to offer in its rich landscape and visual aesthetic to major film productions, and if we can capitalize on that and raise the incentive with HB1767, it would drastically help the quality of life for film industry workers in Virginia. In 2019, we all felt lucky that The Walking Dead, Swagger, and Good Lord Bird were all shooting in our lovely state. This meant that almost all of Richmond's film community was employed, however, in the years since, when it was only Raymond and Ray in 2021, and only Swagger in 2022)...it is financially crushing for everyone. Here is why: On any major film production, the camera department, props department, or grip and electrical department are typically only allotted a few workers per their department, due to a production's budget. If you're not one of the hired ones, you are likely financially screwed for the rest of the year, as the chances of another major production coming to Richmond that year are extremely unlikely due to the low tax incentive VA has. Folks who are not film workers may look at this and say, "those folks should get a real, consistent job to avoid being in this situation," or "why don't they just go work in Atlanta for a few months?" The reality, is that this IS a real job - it consists of 14 hour days/5-6 days a week on your feet. It is not easy. And it is not easy to just get up and leave your family for 6 months while working in another state/ In Virginia specifically, we have some of the most hard working and skilled film industry workers in the country who deserve consistent employment in their own state. I'm not exaggerating when I say this - Apple TV and AMC Executive Producers (who's productions came to Richmond from Los Angeles and other hot bed film communities) explicitly stated on set that they felt our community was made up of the best crew members they have ever worked with. This was mentioned aloud to everyone on set, multiple times throughout the production process for "Raymond and Ray" and "The Walking Dead." We deserve to work in our own state and not have to find ourselves leaving our families for several months at a time just to put food on the table. Please consider the comments you receive today.

Hello, my name is Mindy Bain. I live in Midlothian, VA and am the spouse of a local film worker. I’m writing to you today in support of House Bill 1767. The bill would increase the cap on tax incentives for motion picture productions. Our current incentive structure lacks competitiveness with those of other states in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern US, and as a result, my husband must frequently leave home and chase work to those states. Aside from being unfortunate for our family, I think this situation is also a missed opportunity for the state of Virginia. By enhancing our tax incentives, we can bring more of this work to our community which creates jobs, improves livelihoods, and generally enhances the local economy. Please vote in favor of this bill. Thank you, Mindy Bain

Bringing quality production to Virginia is vital for our economy. As a film professional, I’ve had to work in other states. As a 20+ year resident of Richmond and homeowner, I see how film income is spent in our community - housing, restaurants, entertainment, etc. I pay income taxes on my pay. When I have to travel to neighboring states for my employment, I spend my income there, and I miss my friends, home, and city. Without incentives to bring productions to VA, our state will miss out on the financial benefits to our state and communities. Please support HB1767. Thank you.

I am writing in support of HB1767. This program is very important to me as a longtime Virginia resident. I believe HB1767 will strengthen Virginia’s economy by supporting the filming community. In the past, Virginia’s approach at incentivizing the film industry has ranked us at the bottom of other states in our area and country wide. I love living and working in my home state and hope to continue working here and not having to travel out of state for employment. Thank you for your consideration, Raymond Conner

I live in Richmond and I support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. I am a Digital Imaging Technician, which is a highly skilled technical position, but at the moment do to a lack of investment from our government, I am forced to travel to find work in other states, being gone from my family for months at a time. Despite this I would never consider moving to another state. I was born here, my family is here, my wife's family is here. There are so many benefits to living and working in Virginia, that I will work here any chance I get. However do to the incentive situation I haven't been able to do that in over a year. The creative film people who live and work here are some of the best in the world, believe me I know as I work elsewhere so often. The crew here is better. But without incentives the beancounters at studios just see the dolors they can save by shooting in GA or MN and force productions to go there instead. Film jobs are Blue Collar jobs. We have welders and carpenters and painters who build our sets, tailors and sewers who make the costumes, and of course the grips and electricians who make the sets filled with light and the hair and makeup people who make the actors look their best. By the time the cameras show up, hundreds of people working 12 hour days have spend weeks getting everything just right. And all of these people are highly skilled and deserve to have a stable job. At the moment there isn't stable work because one show can use up all the incentive money in 4 months, and then everyones out of work for the other 8. It's time we changed that.

This isn't a Hollywood handout. This isn't about politics, this is personal! People working in this industry are a diverse group…Republicans, Democrats and in between. This is above partisan politics, it's about creating jobs and prioritizing our workforce that everyone can be proud of in Virginia. This doesn't need to be temporary work. Some people think these are short-term jobs, but we want to make the point that there are plenty of opportunities available in other states, because they have several projects happening at the same time. As a resident of Richmond, I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. Making films in Virginia is a direct infusion into the local economy, I see it first hand on each project that I have worked on…millions spent at local businesses. Many say…you have to spend money to make money. This additional support would bring so many more projects here each year, injecting millions into the local economy, help to strengthen our local work force who then also spends money. Making money that can be allocated to other programs in Virginia that need more money as well! I work in the film industry, and would love to see an increasing amount of work in my home state of Virginia much more often. For years I have watched many friends and colleagues pack up to travel out of state to work and they are forced to be away from their families for months on end. More work in Virginia helps keep our work force stronger here when more projects are thinking about coming to Virginia. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts

To Whom It May Concern, I have worked in the motion picture industry for twenty years as a union costumer. I have lived in Virginia my whole life. I attended Virginia Tech, and I joined the union in 2003 with plans to root my career and life in Virginia. Because of the monumental value the movie and television industry provides to our state and its residents and vendors, we as a whole can thrive. We must keep the work coming to our state. I have seen too many valuable workers and brilliant creators leave for work elsewhere. I now teach Costume Design at Governor's School for the Arts and I train union set costumers for future work in this area. There is a huge opportunity now to shift more work back here and keep it here in our Commonwealth of Virginia. We must redirect our long term vision to raise the welfare of constituents with forward motion and support for HB1767. Thanks, in advance, for your time and consideration.

I’m a camera assistant and would greatly benefit from film work in the state. Otherwise I have to travel for work. Film and tv work brings in huge amounts of revenue and employees hundreds of local Virginians.

Good morning, My name is Lenny St.Laurent, I'm a Father of three, and have been Married for 26 years. I'm just a carpenter, and have built a few hundred homes in Virginia, as well as various other things, just a regular guy The reason I'm writing this is to stress the importance of the film industry in Virginia. I've been working in this industry for 15 years now and it has drastically improved my life and the lives of many of my now close friends. For many years I've had to travel out of the state for work, due to the lack of work in the Va, which directly relates to this bill. If we had a larger tax incentive, comparable to the surrounding states and those in the Mid-Atlantic Region more production companies would come to Va therefore directly impacting the lives of not only the film industry employees but many small and local businesses. Working in this industry I've seen many small businesses thrive, catch up, and even get ahead due to the fil industry. It really stimulates the economy, all the revenue that is derived, for the many months that they are here. Thank you for taking the time and reading this. This bill would help thousands of Virginians for the next few years...Its been my experience that when there is work in Virginia in the film industry, the quality of life is drastically improved for many people Thank you for your consideration on this bill Sincerely yours Mr. Lenny St.Laurent

Dear Delegates, My name is Max Fischer, and I have been a freelance cinematographer in Virginia for 26 years. I am also the owner of Gearhead Camera, Inc, a Virginia-based camera rental house that supports the motion picture industry. Since opening Gearhead in 2000, I have turned it into successful business that has not only hired many employees, but has trained countless Virginians in the field of cinematography. Film production in Virginia is not a novelty, a hobby or a "gig." It is a career for many people, and those people are as good as anyone else in the country. Unfortunately, as the work opportunities have dried up, I have been seeing a lot of crew "brain drain." When even our best crewmembers can't get work where they live, they move elsewhere, taking their talent, and of course their salaries and associated tax dollars, with them. When productions come from Hollywood, tax incentives aren't going into the producers' pockets. They are just that; incentives. It brings them here, so they can hire Virginians, use Virginia-based vendors (like Gearhead camera), and spend money in local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. I can't tell you how many producers mention how much they love shooting in Virginia. But when it comes down to dollars and cents, they've had to choose other locations. North Carolina, South Carolina, and even Ohio and Puerto Rico have many times the amount of production happening because of competitive incentives. And of course we all know about Georgia. With their incentive program, they now have more production than California (and that has been the case since 2016) . The past few years have been tough. Covid completely shut our industry down (lots of people in confined spaces was not practical), and last year we only had one show shoot here. Local crewmembers are strong and hopeful, but at a certain point, one show a year will become unsustainable for many of us. Please do what you can to support our motion picture industry, which not only helps the state financially, but garners excellent press and recognition. Thank you, Max Fischer

To our trusted Elected Officials, My name is Jarrod Russell, a Father, a Husband, a friend and a Film/Television working professional. I am reaching out today not only on my own behalf but on the behalf of my family and fellow Virginia film community members. I graduated from VCU in 2003 and have been working in the Virginia Film and Television industry since 2005. I didn’t want to go to LA or NY due to the overwhelmingness of those cities nor did I want to raise my family in those types of environments. I love the quality of life Richmond and Virginia has to offer. My children all attend public schools and my wife owns two businesses here. Needless to say, Richmond is our home and we would like to remain here. Over the span of my career I have been able to support myself and my family with the work available in Virginia. It’s been a modest living but it’s afforded me precious time with my family and children and the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing, kind and talented people I have ever met. Most of these fellow members of the film community share my sentiments on the quality of life in Virginia and wanting to remain here as well. However, due to the lack of Film Incentives and support for our community, many of us, most of us have had to either… 1. Work out of state 2. Move out of state 3. Find another career path I personally have been working out of state the past two years for months at a time. My last job was over 7 months in another state which means I was away from my children, family and friends but it also means my state taxes were going to a state I don’t even live in. I also, brought seven other Virginia residents to work with me as well which means they were away from their loved ones and taxes going to another state too. This was the case for literally hundreds of Virginia residents for the past couple years and it’s not over… In two weeks I am leaving once again to work out of state and taking more Virginia members with me. It doesn’t have to be this way. Each state surrounding Virginia has substantially more/better film incentive programs and support than us. Substantially more. This is because these states have realized the benefits that these programs have on a state’s economy. It’s not just about keeping jobs in state, it’s also about the millions of dollars these projects bring to the local and state economies. Local businesses, clothing stores, hotels, restaurants, lumber and tools stores, electronic stores… the list goes on and on. These programs boost economies and provide jobs for thousands of people. These aren’t just temporary jobs or “gig” jobs either. With consistent renewable incentive programs we can keep our work force at home and our economy thriving here in Virginia. All this to say, Virginia is NOT Hollywood and we would like to keep it that way. We have been building this network for decades remaining true to ourselves and each other, while also being a part of this truly special community we have cultivated along the way. I am honored and privileged to be apart of the Virginia Film community. If you’ve made it through reading this much of my personal story, I hope you can find it in your heart to support HB1767. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen. Jarrod Russell

Dear Assembly Members, My name is Mark Bain. I live in Midlothian, VA and I work as a camera technician in the motion picture industry. I write to ask for your support in passing HB1767 which increases the cap on annual motion picture production tax credits. I can attest to the fact that there is a large and vibrant community of constituents in the central Virginia area who work in the film industry. Many of these jobs are Union-affiliated and have the potential to provide solid middle-class incomes. Unfortunately, the cap as it stands now is quickly exhausted by a small number of productions, and there simply isn’t the volume of work to keep the workforce fully employed year-round. Many of us, I included, have families and must leave home for days, weeks, or even months at a time to take work in other states. I submit it would be to the benefit of all the constituents working in this industry, as well as the Commonwealth itself, to bring more of this work to our area (which also boosts the local economy in many other areas, including food and beverage and hospitality) by raising the cap on motion picture tax credits. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Mark Bain

I am in favor of HB1767. My husband works in the film industry, as do many of our friends. As many other states increase their funding for this industry, it is important for Virginia to continue to offer good tax credits and keep the work here in the Commonwealth. With our varied topography and architecture, our state has what this industry desires. Let's keep Virginia competitive for this industry.

Please PASS bill #HB1767 which has direct impact on my income due to working in the motion picture industry as my only source of income. Thank you, Scott Inge Camera Assistant / IATSE 600

As a resident of ColonialHeightsVa., I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts. Channing Mentzer

Hello, As a resident of Richmond, VA, I am writing to show my support of HB1767 to increase Virginia’s film tax credit program. I work as a Camera Assistant, a highly technical and specialized job, and have been able to support myself and my family for fifteen years working on films and television shows filmed here in Virginia alongside hundreds of hard-working local technicians, artists, coordinators, drivers, office staff and other film production workers. We come from all walks of life and both sides of the political aisle, but we come together to work long, hard days to create a show. We all share another very important goal; that we would like to work and live in the state that we love, Virginia. Sadly, because Virginia’s tax credit program is not competitive with nearby states like North Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia, this is not always possible and I’ve had to watch people I’ve trained to work in the industry and people who’ve worked here for years move to work in different states where there are more jobs. They are forced to move to states who, regardless of politics, understand what film production means to local economies and local film production workers like myself. I don’t want to be forced to work out-of-state this year, but fear that I will. I don’t want to see more young people I’ve trained be forced to take their talents elsewhere, but again, fear that I will. HB1767 will help keep work and workers here in Virginia. The money will be spent to make the shows no matter what, I just really hope that more of the money gets spent here in Virginia. One of the most disheartening things is when stories by Virginians and stories that take place in Virginia are shot elsewhere; standing in a perfectly recreated 1970’s Ukrops grocery store on a film stage in Boston, MA and listening to a Virginia native tell others about what Richmond meant to him was a surreal experience. He wanted to make his movie here, but our lack of incentives made it impossible. These are OUR stories and these should be OUR jobs. Please consider what HB1767 will mean for Virginia’s production workforce. Thank you for your time and consideration, Liz Silver

I am writing in support of HB1767 to increase Virginia's film tax credit. I attended college at VCU studying film. I trained as a camera assistant in Virginia. I live here and need to be able to work here. We have an incredibly talented industry work force, stunning locations either historic or modern. What we don't have is a competitive film tax credit. Keep in mind, this incentive not only engages a workforce across the Commonwealth, but also supports local businesses. Camera rental houses, large format graphic printing companies, local sculptors and lumber mills are only a few to start. Tent and Event businesses and Restaurants. Hotels, Air BnBs, the RPS school system, all have benefitted from the influx of money brought to our state. A conscious effort on behalf of all locals is made to keep as much of the production's money local. Thank you so much for your time today. Please keep in mind the hundreds of crew members who want to live in Virginia, work in Virginia and support Virginia.

I am a resident of Powhatan county. I am writing today in support of HB1767 this would help to increase the amount of time that I am able to work in my home state. I spent most of last year working in other states because our tax insensitive are lower than our neighboring states. This bill will surely help to bring shows to our commonwealth, this would mean jobs here at home. Sincerely Charles Smith

Hello , As a resident of local 487, I am writing to express my support for HB1767, which would increase Virginia's film tax credit program to $10 million annually. Our state's current incentives for the film industry are not competitive with those of other states, which is detrimental to both the industry and the economy. As someone who works in the film industry, I would love to have the opportunity to work more frequently in my home state of Virginia. However, the lack of competitive incentives often forces me to take jobs in other states, away from my family and community. I believe that increasing the film tax credit program to $10 million annually would be a significant step towards making Virginia more economically competitive and supporting our state's production workforce. I urge you to consider the positive impact that this bill could have on the industry and on our economy, and to support its passage. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Charles “Sonny” Fleming

Good morning Delegates, I am a Virginian- born, raised and educated. I attended college at Hollins and VCU for photography and Film. My husband is a Camera Assistant who also was educated and grew up in Virginia. We are asking for your support of the HB1767 in raising our tax incentives for TV and Film from $6.5M to $10M. We know firsthand the depth of talented artists/crew we have here in the Commonwealth. Lately because of our meager incentives program, we have been losing our department heads and hardworking crew to other states. States with 3-100x larger incentives packages. We have families, friends and communities here. We have training programs to help underprivileged youth learn the film making ways... but we need the help of our Delegates to make our state even more attractive. With this additional help, it will make a difference of short run indie films to long term Series TV options for our state and your constituents. Thank you for your time. Please know that we are all voters and we are Democrats and Republicans. This is not a "Hollywood Handout" but "Job Creation" and workforce retention for Virginia. Thank you. - Susan Sutphin

I would like to see bipartisan support for more film work in the Richmond area. I don’t like having to travel to find the work I do. I have family and pets that I need to be with. Incentives for these production companies provide jobs for thousands of local crafts people. Large parts of money from these jobs goes back into the local economy. Production work whatever form it takes can be a full time career at home here in Virginia if the state commits itself to bringing these production companies here. Thank you for your time reading this. Todd Wittemann

As a proud resident of Richmond’s South Side, I’m writing today to voice my strong support of HB1767-to increase our film incentive cap from $6.5M to $10M annually. I’m writing today because I love my job and my hometown. As a student of Richmond Public Schools and VCU, it’s be an honor to work in the film and television industries here in Richmond and our beautiful surroundings-as they say in the film office, “great locations since 1604.” Unfortunately, this last year saw me in Baltimore for about 7 months, as work here in town was scarce. This is new, since I started in the industry in 2014 on AMC’s TURN, the VA market had been robust enough to support me as a full time job. However, at this point, with the lack of work in the Commonwealth, I’m seriously considering relocating so that I can continue to pursue my passion in the camera department. I don’t want to leave my home and my family here, or the creative community that’s been building and developing on many past shows. But without your support of funding measures such as these, that grow and support our workforce of creative professionals, we are doomed instead to educate and export our talent to bigger markets, or even small ones with better incentives . This isn’t about political parties, or money for big time Hollywood types. It’s about supporting the creative professionals that depend upon the vision of this legislature to help secure our future. We’re just techies and nerds out in all weather, at all times of the day and night, and for long hours because we love where we are and what we do. Help us keep going to work in Virginia and support HB1767.

Hello! I would like to encourage the support of hb1767. I am a resident of Richmond, as is my wife - as long as there is work here for her to do. She is a local educated professional in the film industry and is at the mercy of where those jobs are. The tax credit will help Virginia remain economic competitive and keep my family happy. Thanks for your time, please do what you can!

Hello, I’m a resident of Richmond, VA and I support HB 1767. I haven’t been working in the industry as long as a lot of others, but I’ve already seen the profound positive impact it has had on my life. The only negative thing I’ve heard from any of the great people I’ve worked with has been having to travel and even relocate for work, because there simply just isn’t enough of it here in our own state. I want to stay here. I love Virginia. I’ve lived in Richmond for 10 years and own a house here. I want to work here. But our current tax credit incentives being among the lowest in the country makes it very hard to do so. And I know that hundreds of other Virginians in IATSE local 487 feel the same way about this budget amendment. The support of this bill is not about helping the movie industry, this is about helping the working Virginians who want careers in it. Thank you for taking the time to read my two cents.

I am a lifelong resident of VA. I am a union member of IATSE 487 and have worked in the VA Film Industry since 2006 as a Costumer. However, my first taxable income of 2023 will go to the State of KY. Please support HB1767 (Reid) to approve more incentives. I prefer to work consistently in my home state instead of having to travel out of state to sustain my income within my field of work. Do not think of VA Film Industry workers being driven by either Republican or Democrat agendas but rather as a unified and unique workforce that contributes to economic growth for ALL to benefit from within our great state. Thank you for your consideration and deliberation.

Hello, I am a member of the local chapter of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Motion Broadcast Technicians). Thank you for taking the time to read my letter in support of HB1767 (Reid) to increase the VA film tax incentives from $6.5 to $10 million starting in 2024. I work in the costumes department of shows that choose to film in Virginia. I have seen first hand how incoming productions enjoy Virginia and its many landscapes, history, businesses, and crew/actors it has to offer. I have witnessed how production affects the local economy in a positive way. I have been in charge of budgets and have supervised the local shopping where millions of dollars are spent at local businesses, including hired out work (tailors, print shops, etc). And when a show wraps many items are donated back into the community. Whether it is racks of clothes and shoes , furniture, or PPE covid supplies. Film crews are some of the hardest working people I have ever met. We work an average of 14 hour days, and the more than occasional 20 hour day. It is exhausting, but fulfilling. I am always in awe at what we can do. But it can’t happen without your support. I’ve spoken to many producers and actors who want to come to Virginia to film, but when other states offer much larger tax incentives it’s hard to compete. Because of this a lot of crew ends up working out of state. I myself worked six months in Chicago this year. Therefore the majority of the money I made this year was taxed to Illinois. I have many close friends and coworkers working out of state right now too. Please consider raising this incentive. It will affect many of your constituents, including myself. We want to work from home. Living in hotels to be able to work in our field makes having a life or family a difficult and sometimes impossible task. And no one wants to choose between work and their families. Thank you for your time, I appreciate the work you’re all doing to help us. Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you. Thank you, Elizabeth Voss Costume Supervisor IATSE Local 487

As a resident of Richmond, Virginia. I am a union IATSE member, in Local 487, writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10 million annually. Currently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job; leaving my wife to take care of the family at home. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. In doing so it will not only help local workers in the industry, but it will help the local economy as well. Thank you for your time to consider my thoughts.

My first job as a professional costumer was in 1978, and since then I have made my living (and provided for my children) by sewing, pattern making, dressing on Broadway, keeping continuity on set, and eventually supervising costume crews. When I became a single parent in 2007, I relocated to Fairfax County to be near family, and enrolled my children at Timber Lane ES. Our wonderful state has given them every opportunity to succeed, but has rarely offered me the same chance. It’s shorter to list the films that I worked on that shot in Virginia anywhere near me: 1. Wonder Woman 1984 That’s it. When I supervised a crew of 23 costumers on a HBO show set in 1972, I slept at home, but worked in Washington, DC. Same working with Renée Fleming, Gary Sinese, Norah O’Donnall, Diana Ross…. When I fit Nicole Kidman, it was in Baltimore, MD, and rented an apartment there for 5 months. In Richmond I worked on TURN:Washington’s Spies, (a fantastic experience) thankfully staying in a hotel paid for by the production-spending money in our state, by the way. My car and I did a lot of weekend driving on that show. The rest of my work has been back in NYC, with the likes of Billy Crystal, Barry Manilow, Meryl’s Streep, and the show Hamilton-glamorously sleeping on a friend’s couch. You all know: traveling away from family is hard. I don’t want to leave for weeks at a time; I love my home in Annandale, where I live with my 22 year old son who is on the spectrum, and I want to be here for him. My friends are here and my sister lives just four miles away. I’m thrilled that Delegate Reid understands the kind of money that film and television can bring to our state, while offering work to technicians and artists like me, who love living here. Please support HB1767, and give Virginians the opportunity to work where we live. Thank you for all you do, Anne Anne Gorman Annandale, VA 703-405-9181 Read more about my work in Virginia Living: https://www.virginialiving.com/culture/dress-on/

I am a Virginia Resident , since 1999, and while I originally moved to the Richmond area to work in professional Theatre, I soon came to work in the film industry with the movie Hannibal. Because of working in the film industry, I've been able to continue living and working in the arts. I've bought, and paid off, a modest home. I can afford new vehicles when I need one. I've had some very good years of employment when we've had multiple shows in the area but also some miserable years when Productions have chosen to not come to the area, or have left the area due to lack of competitive tax incentives compared to other states in our region. We have a strong crew base here in Central VA, who have worked on award winning shows, who want to continue to work here in our chosen home state. Last year(2022), having no work in the area in the spring or summer, I ended up having to travel to Wilmington,NC to work on a show, as did many of my fellow union members (IATSE 487). Please support the HB 1767 as a step towards attracting work to our area so we can continue to do our award winning work here in our state. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ms. Julie Gallager

Committee Members. The film tax credit, proposed, is essential to providing Tax generated income to the State without any cost in providing infrastructure, loss of tax income to the State and requiring any State, Regional or local services. Virginia is surrounded by States with huge film tax incentives, and are reaping the benefits without any cost to their State, and bringing in income to those states. Virginia's Showtime's “Homeland” for instance, produce about $45 million in direct spending in Virginia — the largest single production expenditure in the state’s history. Factor in the film’s effect on secondary businesses, and the economic impact may be nearly double that, at $82 million, per Governor Northam in 2018. Mangum, an independent economics firm, found that the film industry has boosted Virginia’s economy significantly. Data compiled by the firm revealed that in 2016 the film industry contributed to Virginia's economy 4,287 full-time-equivalent jobs, $215 million in labor income, $697 million in economic output and $27 million in state and local tax revenue. This includes the impact of productions such as documentaries, long-form specials, television series or mini-series, commercial ads and music videos. Season three of AMC's “Turn” and season two of PBS's “Mercy Street” were filmed in Virginia from September 2015 to July 2016. A separate Mangum study said the two productions had a “sizable impact” on Virginia's economy. Those two series generated 530 full-time-equivalent jobs, $29 million in wage and salary and $40 million in economic output. They also generated more than $2 million in state and local tax revenue. A study published by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission in 2017 evaluated Virginia’s film incentive programs from 2012 to 2016. It found that although incentives positively impacted economic growth, that impact was smaller than the impact of similar programs in other states. Imagine the numerous vendors that the film community uses. Rental cars and trucks, Lumber, Hotels, Restaurants, Catering, anything and everything you see on camera, that was purchase in Virginia. Imagine the 100's and sometimes thousands of Virginians employed, as crew and actors. All are benefited through the film incentive. The employment taxes, alone, generate even more income for the State of Virginia. And where do you think the income they received is spent? In Virginia. Please approve this request.

As a resident of Hanover County, I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, which means productions often look to go to other states first. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I live here in Virginia, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts

As a resident of Richmond, VA. I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts

As a resident of Richmond, VA. I am writing today in support of HB1767, which increases Virginia's film tax credit program to $10M annually. Presently, our film incentives rank towards the bottom of national rankings, so it's time to take a new approach to make Virginia more economically competitive. I work in the film industry, and would love to work in my home state of Virginia much more often. Even though I went to school here and have a family here, I'm constantly being forced to go to other states for months at a time to do my job. This needs to change, and supporting HB1767 is one piece of that puzzle. It's time to make Virginia's production workforce a greater priority. Thank you for considering my thoughts