Chris Christie is a virulent opponent of taxes. But not when it comes to the "Jersey Shore."
The New Jersey governor on Monday vetoed a tax break that would have benefited the popular MTV reality franchise.
"I have no interest in policing the content of such projects," the governor announced in a letter. "However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the State and its citizens."
The state Economic Development Authority earlier this month approved a $420,000 tax credit--dubbed the 'Snooki subsidy'-- for production costs related to the 2009 season of "Jersey Shore." The tax incentive was designed to encourage film and television companies to invest in the state. But Christie has long said the program was wasteful.
The credit's specific connection to "Jersey Shore" also drew significant criticism from lawmakers and others who have long derided the show's portrayal of their home state.
"What it does is it takes a bunch of New Yorkers, who are--most of the people on 'Jersey Shore' are New Yorkers--takes a bunch of New Yorkers, drops them at the Jersey shore, and tries to make America feel like this is New Jersey," Christie said on ABC's "This Week" last year. He called the show "negative for New Jersey."
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/chris-christie-vetoes-jersey-shore-tax-break-211419723.html
