'House Of Cards' Hosts Reception For Members Of House Of Delegates
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The red carpet comes to Annapolis. The hit series "House of Cards" hosts Maryland lawmakers for a special reception with star Kevin Spacey.
Pat Warren explains it's all part of a push to keep Netflix filming in Maryland.
No one saw him coming, but WJZ caught him going--Kevin Spacey--leaving a reception for lawmakers. Senator Nancy Jacobs got some face-time.
"The tax credit should be extended, it definitely should be extended," she said.
"House of Cards" used a little leverage and a lot of hospitality to pry a film industry tax credit bill out of the House of Delegates.
"House of Cards" uses locations throughout the state as sets for the political thriller--reportedly pumping $200 million into the state economy.
"I think the House has got to come together and agree that it's good for Maryland. I personally am a fan of 'House of Cards' and I think it's just a fantastic show," Senate President Mike Miller said.
You get no argument from Cindy Busch. The House speaker's wife was an extra in the show.
"I had a really great experience. Kevin Spacey. Holy smokes!" she said.
The production company has already put the state on notice that it's shopping around for the best bargain.
"They're trying to get the most they can get for their company and to make it productive for them to be here," Jacobs said.
Members of the House say they're crunching the numbers.
"We're trying to add it all up and see if we're really getting the revenue from this," said Del. Ron George, (R) Anne Arundel County.
"It creates a lot of jobs, a lot of jobs in the lumber industry, a lot of catering jobs, a lot of hotel rooms are being used," said Del. Frank Turner, (D) Howard County.
If there's going to be an agreement, it has to be reached by April 7, sine die.
The Senate approved an $18.5 million tax credit for all Maryland film productions, most notably "House of Cards" and "VEEP."
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