Hollywood vs. HB757: Does Money Outweigh Social Activism?

Governor Nathan Deal recently rejected controversial ‘religious liberties’ legislation that created a nationwide uproar. Alongside outcry from social activists who say the bill legalized discrimination against LGBT people, production companies for TV and film vowed to end their association with Georgia if the bill became law. Many feel that Hollywood’s billions ultimately defeated the fledgling bill, but did social activism play an equal or greater role?

"For productions in Georgia, if you spend half a million dollars, you get a 20% tax break ... plus 10% if you put a peach in the movie credits," -Tibor Besedes on some of the tax breaks Georgia gives to production companies.

We talk with Salon writer Daniel Denvir about the juxtaposition between financial and social pressure. We are also joined by Georgia Tech economics professor Tibor Besedes and researcher Matthew Mitchell of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.  They discuss the fiscal impact of film and TV production in Georgia and around the country.