A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF TXMPA

I am happy to report that our Moving Image Incentive Program is proving its effectiveness at bringing jobs and dollars to Texas. Since the enhanced incentives were signed into law in April 2009, applications which account for over $225 million in new in-state spending. These projects have created over 12,300 industry jobs equating to over 1,800 full time jobs. All of this has been achieved with a commitment of just over $24.8 million in grant funds. I am unaware of any other program which has delivered these levels of results with an equivalent cost. These projects come from across the State and cover all segments of the industry. This is tremendous news and will be a vital part of our message going into the 2011 Legislative Session.



We cannot afford to let this positive news make us complacent. Now is the time to remobilize and renew our efforts. We will have to battle for continued funding of the program in the upcoming Legislative Session. News reports from the Capitol inform us that all State agencies have been asked to reduce their budgets and cut current and future spending. We have been lucky since our friends in the Governor's office have trimmed in other areas in order to keep our current funding intact. They believe in the value our industry brings to Texas but we will have to make our case anew in 2011. To complicate matters further, we will not simply be asking to retain our current level of appropriation, we will be seeking an increase. At current application levels we will exhaust our funds for this fiscal year well before the next appropriation year begins in September 2010. Those funds will most likely also be exhausted before our next appropriation is in place. The positive side is that we have shown that if the incentive program is funded we can bring in the work. What we will have to prove is that the jobs we create benefit the State enough to justify the funding.



This is just one of the challenges that lie ahead in making our program work for Texas. Find solutions to generate even more projects across the entire State rather than have so many concentrated in our largest production centers is one of our goals. We need to look for ways to allow Texas to be even more competitive in all areas of the industry. The bottom line is we need YOU to make this happen.


In order to successfully advocate we need the most effective resources, technology and personnel we can get. Not only does this take time, it takes money. TXMPA is an all volunteer organization made up of members of our industry lead by an elected board. All of our funding goes directly to getting our message to the Legislature and we need an influx of funds to move forward.


We need everyone to step up to support these efforts.


Make sure you are a paid member of TXMPA. Make sure everyone you know in the industry is a paid member of TXMPA. If you have the resources to sponsor TXMPA beyond your membership do so. Advocate for others to sponsor. We have proven that our efforts bring work to Texas. Many of you have worked on projects that are beneficiaries of our program. The rest of us benefit from a re-energized industry that makes for a more fertile work environment and opportunities in the future. Take the time to step up and help us guarantee that future.






Don Stokes


President, TXMPA