Posted: | March 20, 2015 11:01 AM |
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From: | Senator Kim L. Ward |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Senate Bill: Amending the Tax Reform Code of 1971 by Establishing a PTP Statewide Tourism Marketing and Promotion Tax Credit |
In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation, which would amend the Tax Reform Code of 1971 by providing for the Statewide Tourism Marketing and Promotion Tax Credit to taxpayers that make a contribution (i.e., cash, personal property, in-kind contributions, tourism and travel marketing and promotion services, etc.) to the Pennsylvania Tourism Partnership (PTP). This tax credit would provide PTP, a public-private collaboration, with a source of funding by which to undertake the important task of statewide marketing and promotion of tourism and travel in Pennsylvania. Tourism is a competitive industry. Therefore, statewide marketing is an important and necessary tool in terms of ensuring the Commonwealth maximizes and promotes the growth of its tourism and travel industry, which is a significant generator of economic development, job creation and revenues. The impact of PA tourism and travel is evidenced by the fact the industry in 2013 generated $39.2 billion in sales (i.e., traveler spending) and $68.4 billion in total economic activity throughout all PA industries, while supporting 478,000 direct and indirect jobs (6.5% of total PA employment). The travel industry also generated about $4.13 billion in state and local taxes. The mission of PTP is to create a consistent, world-class and inspirational brand, as well as to facilitate the direction, funding and execution of a research and data-based marketing communications plan for the Pennsylvania tourism industry. Team PA Foundation is currently incubating PTP until it can be independently established as a nonprofit 501(c) organization. The Department of Community and Economic Development provided initial startup funds with additional funds for branding and a marketing communications plan coming from both the public and private sector. If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Jason R. Brehouse, Esq. at 717-787-6063 or jbrehouse@pasen.gov. |
Introduced as SB676