Governor elect Brian Kemp reaffirmed his support for Georgia’s film industry after a weekend Twitterstorm calling for a boycott of the state. Kemp said Monday that filmmakers are looking to keep the state’s successful film tax credit, and so is he.
Much of Hollywood threw its support behind Kemp's election rival, Democrat Stacey Abrams. And the proposed boycott of Georgia is partly fueled by their unhappiness that Republican Brian Kemp beat her amid allegations of voter suppression. The question is whether a boycott can stick.
Kemp was at the Capitol complex Monday morning with his transition team, preparing to take over the governor’s office by this time next month.
"I’m not worried about what some activists from Hollywood are saying about the elections process in Georgia," Kemp said.
Georgia officials claim the state’s film industry produced an economic impact of nearly ten billion dollars last year. But some film industry figures say Georgia is unworthy. “Is the entertainment industry willing to support the economy of a totally corrupt state that suppresses democracy?” asked actress Alyssa Milano on Twitter.
She had lots of company, and Democrats in the legislature say Kemp could risk the state's standing by signing religious freedom legislation that he has promised to sign if passed.
"Anything that there is the perception of discrimination is bad for Georgia’s brand, and we want to make sure we’re protecting Georgia’s brand," said House Democratic leader Bob Trammell (D-Luthersville).
But Kemp thinks Hollywood is more interested in the tax savings filmmakers can keep by working in Georgia.
"I’m going to continue to protect the film tax credit. The people I met with in the campaign, that is what they are concerned about. They like our business environment. They like our low cost environment," Kemp said.
And Abrams, who ended her challenge of Kemp on Friday, also went to bat for Georgia’s film industry this weekend.
"We want those folks to not only have jobs in Georgia but we want their votes to count in Georgia," Abrams told 11Alive News Saturday.
Kemp has promised to sign a religious freedom bill if it mimics the exact language in a federal religious freedom law that’s already on the books. Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed another religious freedom bill two years ago, but the one Kemp is willing to sign has never actually passed the legislature. It may before spring.