So much for those "free markets" in Texas that Rick Perry is so fond of bragging about. As Rachel Maddow points out, that "free market" apparently includes offering the film industry tax incentives to film in Texas and then denying the tax breaks after Gov. Perry's film commission decides they don't like your movie.
'Machete' will not get incentive funds:
Officials with the Texas Film Commission announced late Wednesday they are denying tax incentives for Austin director Robert Rodriguez's film "Machete." [...]
The controversy started months earlier when Rodriguez released a special movie trailer during all the debate over Arizona's new immigration enforcement policy. [...]
In 2007 and 2009, Texas lawmakers gave the "thumbs up" to a bill to provide incentives for filmmakers who spend money making movies in Texas.
But the Texas Film Commission -- which is based in Gov. Rick Perry's office -- has now given " Machete" a "thumbs down."
It is denying funding for the film because of a provision in the state law that allows incentives to be denied if the film in question "portrays Texas or Texans in a negative fashion."
