New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced late Monday that he would halt a proposed tax credit for the cast of “Jersey Shore,” noting that he has no plans to renew the controversial tax credit.
“I have no interest in policing the content of such projects,” Mr. Christie said in a statement. “However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the state and its citizens.”
“In this difficult fiscal climate,” the Republican governor added. “The taxpayers of New Jersey should not be forced to subsidize projects such as ‘Jersey Shore.’ ”
The controversial $420,000 tax credit, dubbed the “Snooki subsidy,” was approved for the first season of the reality show, which is set in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
New Jersey state Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a Democrat who had opposed extending the tax credit, said he supported Mr. Christie’s decision.
“It’s about the words, and words matter,” Mr. Vitale said. “The words the cast members use to describe Italian-Americans, ‘Guido’ and others, are no different to me than words used to disparage other ethnic groups or races. It wouldn’t be an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars to support that kind of language. That’s my beef with the show.”
The show’s production company, 495 Productions, based in Burbank, California, declined comment. MTV spokeswoman Noelle Llewellyn said she would not comment on the tax issue but wanted to reassure the show’s fans. “‘Jersey Shore’ itself will not be affected,” she said.
Mr. Christie, who is quickly gaining national attention for his potential bid for the Republican presidential nomination, traveled to California on Tuesday as part of a fundraiser. The New Jersey Republican has repeatedly downplayed speculation, saying he remains interested in governing the state of New Jersey.
This is not the first time the cast of “Jersey Shore” have made political headlines. Earlier this year, Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain tweeted that Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, one of the show’s cast members, is too attractive to be locked up in prison.
