Tax Money To Fund Production Of 'Jersey Shore'

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.)