Miranda Hobbes could be biting the hand that feeds her.
Cynthia Nixon wants to limit the film industry tax breaks that benefited both Sex and the City movies.
The two films, based on the hit HBO show, received a total of $13.6million in tax credits and subsidies for filming in the empire state.
But last week Nixon said those credits are unnecessary taxpayer-funded giveaway to an already rich industry during an interview with the Buffalo News.
‘I don’t think there’s any real truth that enormous expenditure of money is making a significant enough different in production to justify it,’ the 51-year-old explained.
Cynthia Nixon wants to limit the film industry tax breaks that benefited both Sex and the City movies. The two films, based on the hit HBO show, received a total of $13.6million in tax credits and subsidies for filming in the empire state
The first movie, which premiered in 2008, received $2.55million in subsidies, while the 2010 version got $11.1million, according to the New York Post
The credits are meant to serve as an incentive for filmmakers to work in the state of New York, instead of Los Angeles or another city, in order to spur job creation in the industry in the state.
And those credits are likely part of the reason the Sex and the City movies were produced in New York.
The first movie, which premiered in 2008, received $2.55million in subsidies, while the 2010 version got $11.1million, according to the New York Post.
But last week Nixon said those credits are unnecessary taxpayer-funded giveaway to an already rich industry during an interview with the Buffalo News
The hit television show did not receive the subsidies because it was not in effect at the time.
Sex and the City employed 1,156 people and generated $24.6million in economic activity, while the second film employed hired 2,511 and generated $32.8million, Empire State Development told the newspaper.
The credit apparently pays for things such as film crews and other hires, but does not pay out to the actors, writers or directors.
But because the other costs are easier to pay for, film studios have an easier time paying actors and directors.
And, as Nixon explained, she didn’t even have to leave her hometown to shoot the movies.
‘Cynthia is opposed to enormous tax giveaways to large corporations with no strings attached,’ her campaign spokeswoman Rebecca Katz said on Sunday.
‘As governor, she will reform the film tax credit program to ensure greater benefit to small and independent films.’
A ‘budget watchdog’ who called the credit ‘classic corporate welfare’ said that coming from her the criticism holds more weight because she understands the industry.
The ‘watchdog’ explained to the post that she could be risking backlash for going against her own industry, from which she made her fortune.
Nixon’s democratic opposition, Governor Andrew Cuomo, defended the credit, saying it ‘generates record-breaking economic impact, supports local businesses and communities and creates hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs across the Empire State each year.’