Make the city friendlier to film and TV studios
East Elmhurst: The film and television industry is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and innovation in NYC, driving opportunities that extend far beyond the set and long after the director yells “cut.” As president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, I have seen firsthand how this industry fuels our economy and sustains the small businesses that keep our city thriving. The N.Y. Film Tax Credit Program is not just an incentive, it is a critical lifeline for countless businesses and workers across the five boroughs.
From antique suppliers to skilled craftsmen, set decorators, truck drivers and catering companies, the ripple effect of film and television production is undeniable. When productions choose New York, they create jobs, generate revenue and support family-run businesses that have been part of our city’s cultural fabric for generations. Without a strong and competitive film tax credit, these productions will move elsewhere, taking with them economic benefits that sustain our communities.
The past few years have tested the resilience of businesses that rely on film and television production, from the COVID-19 pandemic to industry-wide strikes. Now more than ever, we must ensure that New York remains a premier destination for this vital industry. Other states and countries are aggressively courting productions with their own incentives, and we can’t afford to fall behind.
The credit empowers local businesses to hire, innovate and collaborate, strengthening the entire creative ecosystem. Without it, the future of many New York businesses, including those in Queens, would be at risk. I urge our leaders to extend and expand it. Thomas J. Grech
Share the wealth
Wayne, N.J.: It greatly disappointments me that corporations of today don’t invest in their employees and provide retirement pensions. After all, how much money do the owners and stockholders need? To quote the pastor of my church during one of his homilies, “I’ve never officiated at a funeral where the hearse tows a U-Haul to the cemetery!” Michael Carlucci
Price hike
Manhattan: Realizing the inevitable, I just started using an OMNY card. It is easy to use and efficient. One problem: For users of 30-day unlimited MetroCards, OMNY costs fully 10% more! I will continue to use a MetroCard until it joins the token in the dustbin of history. Joseph Jesselli
Partisan outrage?
Bayside: Why are the people so upset about Mayor Adams’ case being dismissed? Is it because he had the audacity to criticize the former president and the nerve to meet with the hated President Trump? And while we’re bringing up alleged corruption, why didn’t the district attorney go after Bill de Blasio and his wife to investigate where all that mental health money disappeared? We could sure use it now. Mary Santora
Principled prosecutor
Utica, N.Y.: We just read the text of acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon’s resignation letter after Trump had installed her on his first day in office. What a profile in courage this woman is! Not only did she refuse to bend to Trump’s outrageous order to drop all charges against Adams, disgracefully carried out by Attorney General Pam Bondi, but she clearly and lucidly spelled out the reasons that the order had nothing to do with promoting justice! While this is expected behavior from Trump and Bondi, they must have been shocked to face a Republican with integrity. We certainly were. Sassoon has shown more guts, knowledge of the law and commitment to truth than Trump and Bondi could ever dream of. Jeff and Joan Ganeles
Not an act
Bronx: Trump’s cabinet is better described as a barrel of monkeys than a clown car, as clowns only pretend to be incompetent. Randall Borra
Worthless coin
Rockaway Beach: Reading Harold Holzer’s “Common cents to keep the Lincoln penny” (op-ed, Feb. 13) was nostalgic because Holzer might be the last man in America who wants to see pennies in circulation. Each 1-cent coin costs nearly 4 cents to produce, which is mind-boggling wasteful nonsense. They have nothing to do with cherishing President Abraham Lincoln’s ever-present and irrevocable legacy. Ending production does not mean they will disappear. There are billions of pennies spread across every dresser drawer and mug in every home! Not using pennies will never be “a blow to our national identity” because it would be impossible to get rid of them all. No one will ever again sit at the dining room table putting them in those red paper tubes because it just doesn’t add up. Since the penny makes for special memories and is a “ubiquitous piece of American history,” that is exactly where it should be relegated to. Patrick Clark
Audit anxiety
Hopewell Junction, N.Y.: So the party that was all in on hiring 87,000 IRS agents to audit us is pissed because they’re being audited. I see. Freddy Sacco
Punishing the poor
Clifton Park, N.Y.: What has happened to our country when the richest man in the world wants the poorest, neediest children in the world to be fed, and I quote, “through the wood chipper”? Even worse is that hardly anyone in this “Christian nation” has spoken in opposition. I’m looking at you, Republican and MAGA adherents. John Landers
Correction
Brooklyn: To Voicer Raymond P. Moran: No, Joe Biden did not “defy the Supreme Court” on student debt relief. Biden’s original sweeping plan was blocked by the court, so that plan died. Biden fully accepted the court’s ruling and complied with it. He then created different, narrower debt relief plans based on existing rules that did not violate the court’s order, and those more limited plans were allowed to proceed. He worked within the law to give whatever debt relief was allowed while fully obeying the court and dropping the bigger plan that was blocked. In contrast, Trump openly defies the law and refuses to comply with court orders. Get it? Trudi Rosenblum
Going down fast
Madisonville, Pa.: Hey, how about those lower food prices, especially eggs? Yes sir, Donald J. Chump has certainly delivered on his campaign promises of prices dropping right after he took office. And with all those tariffs, just watch those prices move! And just think, we’re only about a month into his four years in office. I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with. Tom Mielczarek
Laughable accolade
Paramus, N.J.: To Voicer Nick Di Pasquale: Calling the Orange Felon a “fair, honest and true American patriot” is the funniest thing I’ve ever read here. Tom Greff
Suspended rules
Glendale: I don’t understand someone who had 34 felonies and sent his mob to the Capitol to hurt and destroy people, telling them he would be right behind them (but of course he was not). Also, stealing important papers from the White House and sexually assaulting women. Why not then let every crook, troublemaker and rapist out of prison? All they have to do is run for president and they can be excused of all crimes. Please explain this to me. And you can put off all your trials until after the election if you want to. Laurel Turnbull
Lend a hand
Bronx: Are there any seniors or people with disabilities in your building? Some of these people are lonely and may have difficulty grocery shopping. Get to know them. Ring their bell. Spend a little time with them. When you are able, help them with their grocery shopping, especially when the weather is bad. Some people feel awkward asking for help. Be a good neighbor and be helpful. You’ll be doing a good deed and making someone happy. Marsha Kolin
Outsider outrage
Flushing: Re Voicer Rose S. Wilson’s attack on Israel, her emphasis is on the “killing of women and children” in Gaza. Nowhere in her letter does she mention Hamas’ role in using them as human shields. Or the fact that Hamas hides in the tunnels it built under schools and hospitals. Her condescending tone then mentions her own Roman Catholic religion, ignoring the millions of women and children who, in the name of that religion, were brutally savaged for more than 2,000 years with discriminations, slavery, pogroms, inquisitions and the Holocaust. Don’t talk down to us, lady. Charles Tal
