Film Wisconsin’s bill #SB563?an aggressive package of film incentives considered one of the best in the nation?is gaining momentum in the state assembly with a roster of bi-partisan supporters.
Months of action by the privatized successor to the Wisconsin Film Office has resulted in lining up co-sponsors for the bill, fairly equally divided by party.
Six co-sponsors are in the Senate, led by Sen. Ted Kanavas (R) and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (D)and 22 in the assembly, 22 Democrats and 10 Republicans.
In addition to film industry advocates, support has come from the AFL-CIO, Arts Wisconsin, the AICP, the City and the County of Racine, the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Assn. of Theater Owners, Visit Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin Assn. of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association and The Milwaukee Common Council.
Support also has been pledged by producer/director filmmaker Jerry Zucker (“My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Naked Gun” series) of Milwaukee, actress Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and her husband, Bradley Whitford, who split their time between Milwaukee and Los Angeles.
