Tourism is one of our state's most effective economic development and job creation tools. It is the 2nd leading industry in New York State with direct consumer spending on tourism related activities accounting for over $21 billion annually. Tax receipts for this industry account for over $6 billion a year in revenue to state and local governments, and travel related industries employ 700,000 people statewide. Tourism has become a vital component of economic growth in New York, and increasingly so in the rural economies of Upstate. In addition to the direct impact the tourism industry has on our state, recreational activities and the arts are essential in developing a rich cultural environment to attract our emerging workforce.

Local Initiatives

Legislative Initiatives

• Film Production Tax Credit
  During the 2004 legislative session, I worked with several members of the Brooklyn and Queens Assembly Delegations to introduce a new bill (A.11595) to establish a Film Production Credit and Film Production Incentive Credit. This proposal would lower the costs of producing films in New York State and allow the New York film industry to utilize its competitive advantages in talent and locale to attract major productions. Specifically, this legislation would establish a Film Production Credit for film and television productions that occur within New York State. The legislation would provide a 10% credit on qualified production costs paid or incurred for films, television films or series, commercials, and similar production.
  
  UPDATE: I'm proud to announce that this initiative was included as part of the 2004-05 State Budget. (Click here to view the press release.)  Also, due to this new incentive, director Mel Brooks has announced that he will film The Producers at Brooklyn's new Steiner Studios. (Click here to view the press release from the announcement.)
   
• Motion Picture Investment Fund
  In an effort to reinvigorate the New York film and television industry, I have proposed a Motion Picture Investment Fund to help finance independent films produced in New York State. Film, television, and advertisements, the traditional media, and the new digital media represent an emerging industry in New York State that generates more that $10 billion a year in economic activity and 170,000 jobs statewide. However, growing competition from other countries, particularly Canada and Australia, has led to a decline in domestic production. The proposal would dedicate $10 million over three years from the state's existing economic development budget to encourage private, corporate investment in New York's media industry. This proposal will result in more film and television production throughout our state, and particularly in Upstate New York.
   
• Cultural Development Areas
  I have worked extensively with arts groups throughout the state to create the New York State Cultural Development Areas program (A.7018-A). The purpose of this program would be to provide for the development and support of arts and cultural institutions. This would be accomplished through various means, including the preservation of cultural heritage, the development and support of ancillary organizations and infrastructure, and overall encouragement of economic development, especially job creation. Such a program could utilize New York's unmatched cultural assets and resources to facilitate an environment that enabled artists and cultural organizations to flourish, further expanding New York's role as the cultural capital of the world.
   
• Tourism Economic Development Fund
  In the 1980's New York launched the "I LOVE NY" marketing campaign and revolutionized the way state governments promoted tourism for the purposes of economic development. However, while the "I LOVE NY" slogan remains world famous, our state's investment in tourism promotion has steadily declined since the mid-1990's and New York falls far short of states like Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania when it comes to marketing to tourists around the country and world. It is widely agreed upon that investing in tourism is an extremely successful endeavor, given the multitude of ways tourists spend money when they visit a destination. For that reason, I have proposed a dedicated Tourism Economic Development Fund (A.11657), which would increase the amount our of funding available for tourism-related marketing and promotion programs and would be funded by a portion of the proceeds collected from the increased gaming activities within the state. Reinvesting some of the funds spent by those tourists enjoying our casinos is an excellent way to invigorate our tourism industry and state economy.