Jimmy Carter’s Gift to Hollywood Was No Gift to Georgia Taxpayers
Former President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at 100 years old. In the century he spent on earth, his single terms as U.S. president and governor of Georgia somehow pale in comparison to an extensive post-presidency spent building houses for the needy and winning a Nobel Peace Prize.
But while there is much to consider about Carter’s legacy, one of the lesser-known items on his résumé is the hand he played in today’s lucrative state tax credits for film and TV production.
In 1971, director John Boorman filmed Deliverance, largely in northeast Georgia. The production was a novelty in the rural area, and Ed Spivia, a former radio journalist working for the state government, visited the set to write it up for the tourism board. During his visit, Spivia formed what would become a lifelong friendship with the film’s star, Burt Reynolds, but he also saw firsthand what a boon it was to the local economy: Taking place in the backwoods, the film cast a number of locals as extras, and the sudden influx of cast and crew generated considerable revenue for local hotels and restaurants.
This gave Spivia an idea. “Georgia was having a downtime, and I thought more films would be a good way to get more money spent on Georgia,” he later told Atlanta Magazine.
Back in Atlanta, he pitched his idea to Carter, who had been sworn in as governor that year. Convinced, Carter established the Georgia Film Commission—credited as the first such office in the country—and named Spivia its first commissioner.
In his new role, Spivia acted as an ambassador to the film industry, coaxing film and TV productions to the state. In his first decade on the job, dozens of projects came to the state, including Reynolds’ films The Longest Yard, Gator, and Smokey and the Bandit.
It’s worth noting that at this time, Spivia’s role largely consisted of acting as a liaison who could streamline certain requests and cut through red tape. For example, when Reynolds needed to be able to film The Longest Yard in an actual prison, “Spivia helped secure access to the state prison in Reidsville,” according to his 2019 obituary in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But state film and TV offices serve a much different purpose today, often doling out millions or billions of dollars
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
