Link (http://www.news4jax.com/news/22875415/detail.html)

Hollywood is keeping an eye on controversial string attached to proposed Florida tax breaks. It's a so-called "Family Friendly" clause that would ban film and television companies from using gay characters if they wanted to take advantage of lucrative tax breaks in Florida, according to Miami New Times.

The clause would probably prevent many major Hollywood producers and studios from working in Florida.

Orlando Representative Stephen Precourt proposed the ban. He said he wants Florida to be known for making entertainment reminiscent of Mayberry, the fictional setting of the Andy Griffith Show.

The anti-gay language will most likely be taken out of the bill, according to the Miami New Times.

Unbelievable that stunts like that are still being pulled in 2010.

I just read another article on this story that gives more detail. The article said the bill will likely pass through the Florida House Finance and Tax Council.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/media/filming-in-florida-so-wholesome-only-a-5-year-old-could-enjoy/19397043/?bId=MoneyBoard&tId=dfblogida19397043&bpId=%2f&sort=3&pg=3#Comments

I think the ban is a dumb idea. To start off there isn't one state in the U.S. that can be considered completely wholesome or family friendly. Even the most conservative states still have problems with domestic violence, teen pregnancy and drugs. Social problems such as drugs and violence exist everywhere, gay communities exist everywhere and banning TV show and movie production that show certain people or things will not make those things go away. The movie Confessions of a Shopholic didn't really show any violence. I had to laugh at the part of the article.

I live in New Mexico and the cable show Breaking Bad films in Albuquerque. Many people have opposed the show because it is about a high school teacher who starts a meth business. Meth is problem in several areas throughout the state. But many people have realized that film and TV production provides work for many in-state residents.

Florida will probably lose money if the bill goes through but based on the article there aren't a lot of productions going down there so probably many people won't miss the film and TV industries. I'm also willing to bet if the ban goes through most family friendly TV shows and movies probably would rather film in California mainly because many actors, producers and directors like staying close to L.A.

The thing that gets me is these adults, these politicians/so-called educated people, are clinging to a fictinonal town from a fictional TV show that they watched when they were little kids. It's ridiculous. Mayberry wasn't real. It isn't real. Oh, I'm sure this guy would love to believe that a town could exist where everyone did what was expected of them and no one was different (in ways that matter), but it's impossible.

The thing that gets me is these adults, these politicians/so-called educated people, are clinging to a fictinonal town from a fictional TV show that they watched when they were little kids. It's ridiculous. Mayberry wasn't real. It isn't real. Oh, I'm sure this guy would love to believe that a town could exist where everyone did what was expected of them and no one was different (in ways that matter), but it's impossible.

I agree I think it is ridiculous they cling to a fictional place. A Mayberry like town has and never will exist.

not a surprise you can't even adopt down there if you're gay...so i'm not even shocked. And we do have freedom of speech in this country so it will never pass.

The thing that gets me is these adults, these politicians/so-called educated people, are clinging to a fictinonal town from a fictional TV show that they watched when they were little kids. It's ridiculous. Mayberry wasn't real. It isn't real. Oh, I'm sure this guy would love to believe that a town could exist where everyone did what was expected of them and no one was different (in ways that matter), but it's impossible.and also by alot of acccounts nether andy griffth nor francis bavier are /were the nicest people in the world so even the actors themselves werent always so buddy/buddy

This is the stupidest ****ing thing i'de evar heard of!!!!

They might as well place a ban on shows that have left handed people in them, or people over 7 feet tall. It's biology, for Heaven's sake, and you can't get away from it no matter how hard you try.

And yes, I think there were towns like Mayberry in them, at least somewhat. And in those towns there were gay people, just like in every other town in the world throughout history. It's just that in the 60's you really couldn't talk about that, so they didn't.

Plus, family friendly? What about the families who have a gay member (most of them)? Doesn't seem very friendly to me. :(

I agree I think it is ridiculous they cling to a fictional place. A Mayberry like town has and never will exist.it kind of reminds me of the time i went to an autograph show in tucson and a young lady reporter came to do a story for one of the local tv staions and she ask the promoter of the autograph show if it was true that he knew thelma lou and he said no i know betty lynn who played thelma lou and she seemed so disappointed that thelma lou was not real

I don't mind it, if Florida won't take them, Michigan will. Michigan offers tax breaks for film crews too, and we need all the jobs we can get.

And yes, I think there were towns like Mayberry in them, at least somewhat. And in those towns there were gay people, just like in every other town in the world throughout history. It's just that in the 60's you really couldn't talk about that, so they didn't.

Yeah, that's what I mean. The way Mayberry was presented was that there were no gay people, no people who were different from the status quo or who did anything that might have made the majority uncomfortable. Even in the most Mayberry-like small towns in the country (and I've been to some...well, a lot, actually), there are people and things that aren't so "Mayberry."

Yeah, that's what I mean. The way Mayberry was presented was that there were no gay people, no people who were different from the status quo or who did anything that might have made the majority uncomfortable. Even in the most Mayberry-like small towns in the country (and I've been to some...well, a lot, actually), there are people and things that aren't so "Mayberry."

I don't think that Andy Griffith pictured Mayberry as 'perfect' but just a normal small town with small town values. Some of the people were portrayed as good, others not as much, but the portrayals were all sympathetic and understanding.

My guess is that, if he could have, Griffith might have included gay characters, but there was NO WAY that 1960's television would have allowed that.

I grew up in a "Mayberry" of sorts (population less than 1,000) and while I love living in a small town, it has its strengths and weaknesses, like any place else. I think there is a simplicity and leisurely pace that allows you to experience nuance at a greater level, and to interact and understand your neighbors much better, so on that basis I think it's a great life.

Drawbacks? Well, you pretty much don't have a lot of privacy; everybody you meet more or less knows your whole life story. And yes, there is a lot less tolerance, though I think that might be changing as "urban flight" is occurring at a rapid pace now.

Anyway, I cannot see Sheriff Andy Taylor (or Andy Griffith) discriminating against anyone, for anything. He would treat everyone with respect and dignity, as is their right.

I'd like to ask all these politicians who are pushing this bill how many have ever cheated on a spouse or significant other. Adultery is a sin too.

Yes, it is a shame that this type of prejudice is still going on in 2010.

I'm amused at the level of outrage in this thread. Do you all really believe that one representative=an entire state? If that's the case, I am 100% certain that every state in the union has considered/is considering laws that are way goofier and retrograde than this.

This bill has about a zero percent chance of passing, and that's because I rounded up. Everyone calm down. It's just one nutjob.

I'm amused at the level of outrage in this thread. Do you all really believe that one representative=an entire state? If that's the case, I am 100% certain that every state in the union has considered/is considering laws that are way goofier and retrograde than this.

This bill has about a zero percent chance of passing, and that's because I rounded up. Everyone calm down. It's just one nutjob.

You've missed the point. It's not the potential reality of the bill; it's the concept of it in the 21st century in America that's disturbing and noteworthy to me, and I suspect, most of the others.

Glad we could all "amuse" you, though. Not everyone possesses the type of detached certitude that allows them to sit back and look down upon the reactions of others.

You've missed the point. It's not the potential reality of the bill; it's the concept of it in the 21st century in America that's disturbing and noteworthy to me, and I suspect, most of the others.

First of all, is there some sort of statute of limitations on ignorance? That it's the year 2010 means nothing to me. Some people still cling to hidebound beliefs - that will be the case in 2050, 2175, 3000...it doesn't end.

Glad we could all "amuse" you, though. Not everyone possesses the type of detached certitude that allows them to sit back and look down upon the reactions of others.

I can also juggle.

I don't mind it, if Florida won't take them, Michigan will. Michigan offers tax breaks for film crews too, and we need all the jobs we can get.

Yep very Michigan or other states will take them.