House Republican Press Release

August 14, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. STRIPP PARTICIPATES CONNECTICUT’S FILM INDUSTRY BILL SIGNING

HARTFORD – State Representative John Stripp (R-Easton, Redding and Weston) today joined Gov. M. Jodi Rell for a public bill signing expanding Connecticut’s Film Industry which was passed in the recent legislative session. The bill requires the Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC) to establish a film industry workforce training program in Connecticut. The ceremony took place at Putnam Memorial Park in Redding where there is currently a Disney film being filmed.

“This bill, as a companion to last year’s film industry tax credit, is an important investment piece permitting Connecticut to develop a permanent infrastructure, including sound stages, post-production facilities and a work force with the right skills," said Rep. Stripp.

The legislation requires the state Office of Workforce Competitiveness to establish a film industry workforce training program in Connecticut that includes an unpaid internship program for high school and college students, a production assistant training program for state residents, and a workforce training program that includes mentors and classroom and on-set training.

OWC must establish written participation guidelines for the program by September 30, 2007 and submit a status report on it every year starting by January 1, 2008. The status report must go to the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and the Commerce and Higher Education committees.

The bill also requires OWC to complete an in-depth feasibility study of whether to develop a visual effects, animation, and video game industry in Connecticut and, if appropriate, recommend how to develop the industry. OWC must report the study's results and any recommendations to the Commerce and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees by January 15, 2008.

According to the Connecticut Film Center, Connecticut is being heavily looked at by many major studio bosses who are attracted by Connecticut's budding industry and close proximity to New York City. If Connecticut keeps investing in the film industry then new skilled and high paying jobs will follow, along with the generation of high economic activity.

The legislation passed the State Senate in 36-0 vote and the House by a 146-2 vote.