New Jersey Economic DevelopmenT Authority Approves Covering $420,000 Of ‘Jersey Shore’ Production From ’09 Season

Tax Money To Fund Production Of ‘Jersey Shore’

September 15, 2011 10:38 PM

The cast members of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” pose at their television home in Seaside Heights, N.J. (credit: AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — MTV’s “Jersey Shore” GTL motto might now stand for gym-tax credit-laundry instead of gym-tan-laundry.

WCBS 880′s Levon Puntey With Reaction From Seaside Heights

The state Economic Development Authority on Wednesday approved covering $420,000 of the production costs for the hit reality series’ inaugural 2009 season.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon told the Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record newspaper he can’t believe taxpayers are paying “for fake tanning for ‘Snooki’ and ‘The Situation’.”

Sen. Joe Vitale also echoed similar sentiments, saying he was not opposed to the existence of the show, just the fact that producers will be getting a check from the state.

“They want to come and film here, that’s fine. They’re making money, fine. It’s America, God bless. If you don’t like the show, turn the channel, but I don’t think that tax payers of New Jersey need to support the program,” he told 1010 WINS.

The show centers on the cast living it up along the beach and boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

Seaside Heights Mayor P. Kenneth Hershey says the local economy gets a boost when the cast is in the town.

Gov. Chris Christie suspended the film tax credit program in 2010 to close a budget deficit.

Do you think Jersey Shore’s economic boost warrants tax funding? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

doc in NJ

from a producer’s stand-point, the greatest thing about putting on a reality TV series is that it’s only hot for a few seasons, advertiser dollars pour in, the talentless “actors” can be appeased by a few hundred G notes, and there’s a never-ending list of brainless topics that Americans will fight about from the shows. It’s a win-win for them.

And, in this case, since NJ is broke and laying off police, teachers and cutting vital services across the board, it’s clear the politicians are giving the people what they want.
Patryk

Soon every State is going to want their own TV Show and asking for government funding. This is out of control.
Morris Bergen

Why not pay for production costs. Your taxes already pay for their $100,000 WEEKLY paychecks.
Lisa Benson

I stand amazed, again, by the government. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? Does the show espouse the values that New Jersey wants to promote for their image? Do the taxpayers actually think that if they walk along the Jersey shore during filming that they might get to talk to Snooki? I can promise that all those bodyguards that the pics never show will make sure you don’t get within a “country mile.” I’m grateful the show is not called “Utah Shore” and hopefully the Utah lawmakers wouldn’t be stupid enough to allocate monies better put to use feeding hungry people than in paying for a show that most taxpayers will not watch.
JasonS

Wow, just look at that photo. What disgustingly ugly, classless people they are.

Harry

and I second that sir! Disgusting with a capital D and no class.

DOUBLE_CHINNED_PUPPETEER

It’s worth it. Snooki is the pride of Jersey and America’s sweetheart.
Carlos Liriano

just let me in the house with the whole crew for 5 minutes, when i come out you wont have to worry about those jerks
james

I wish that you would take a step back and look at the economic stimulus factor involved in the tax credit for productions. This production easily brought several million to the state in terms of jobs, tourism, and production fees. The tax credit is similar to the one that is used in california to gain, and retain, production companies.

Quit the sensationalism.

Hiran

“This production easily brought several million to the state in terms of jobs, tourism, and production fees.”

James how did you come into this conclusion? Where is it stated that this show did that, and stats to back it. Don’t overstate things, States are struggling to pay their own employees wages and these are tough times. No state can afford to be generous with their tax payers money in this manner.

Sickofrealityshow

These dopey punkass kids need to get a life. I wish that they would bring back the draft so these punkass kids and their plastic girlfriends would just die off in a foreign country!
Pokemon

freaky people!
http://thecryptojournalist.wordpress.com The Cryptojournalist

I’d pay to ship ‘em all off to Staten Island, blow the bridges and let them mate with the Mob Wives

http://rhymeandreasonable.com

Gothenburg

Leave the trash in jersey wear it belongs.

Michael H.

Too bad the vast majority of those clowns aren’t even from NJ

Steve

Are you kidding! Like MTV and the cast are taking oodles of money from the show and they need this grant? But hey McDonald’s still gets tax credits from the Fed for “Foreign Investment” for overseas operations……
mj

HEY WHY NOT ? our taxes pay for all the loser politicians. whats a few more jerks on the payroll…. at least this groups brings IN some revenue to the state unlike the politicians who just let it flow into their own pockets
Open your eyes

Look at all the tourist $$ they bring to the jersey shore.Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.
BRAD

THE BEST THING THAT CAN BE HOPED FOR IS WHILE ON PUBLICITY TOUR THEIR PLANE CRASHES AND WIPES OUT ENTIRE CAST