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Johnny Depp says 'Thanks, Wisconsin chumps!'

November 25, 2008

Wisconsin is learning that subsidizing Hollywood stars isn't the economic boon they thought it would be:

While the big-budget, locally filmed Johnny Depp film “Public Enemies” may succeed at the box office, it has already fallen below state revenue expectations, according to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Public Enemies Productions LLC reported more than $18 million in expenses to the DOC, who then estimated the tax break the company will receive at $4.6 million. The break nearly cancels out the money earned by the state from filming, which added up to $5 million.

Iowa has an even more generous subsidy than Wisconsin, but so far the stars limos aren't double parked in front of the nicer Des Moines restaurants, and the tourist throngs visiting film sites are so well-mannered that you don't notice them.

Tourists throng downtown Des Moines, location of the remake of the sci-fi classic "The Puppet Masters."