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N.J. taxpayers picking up $420K to cover ‘Jersey Shore’ production costs
New Jersey residents got their bar tab today from the cast of the hit television show the “Jersey Shore” — and it was a big one.
Taxpayers will be picking up to $420,000 of the production costs from the show’s inaugural 2009 season under a state film tax credit approved today by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The approval was part of the first round of film tax credits awarded by the EDA since Gov. Chris Christie suspended the program in 2010 to close budget deficit, and state officials said it was based on a set of strict guidelines that is blind to the show’s content.
But, news of the award drew sharp criticism from some the state’s biggest critics of the tax incentive program.
“I can’t believe we are paying for fake tanning for ‘Snooki’ and ‘The Situation’, and I am not even sure $420,000 covers that,” said Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “This is a great investment for the taxpayers, as if they can make a show called ‘Jersey Shore’ anywhere else.” (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)
