Column - Movie Magic, Baby

This fiasco is rated R, for gratuitous spending and full-frontal mismanagement.

Maybe you were enjoying a Friday afternoon matinee when word came that the career of Iowa's top economic development official had a surprise ending. It seems the Iowa Film Office, administered by Mike Tramontina's Department of Economic Development, had been handing out state tax credits to filmmakers like handfuls of Raisinettes.

“It's a mess, there's no doubt about it,” said state Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means committee.

Tens of millions in taxpayer dollars are in play. But the film office run by Tom Wheeler, who is now on leave

was dismissed Monday, reportedly provided scant oversight and even skipped using a special database designed to track credits.

There is no time for bean-counting when you're making movie magic, baby.

Using credits to buy a Mercedes and a Land Rover, to pay filmmakers' family members and buy items from out-of-state vendors must seem hilarious to 114,000 unemployed Iowans struggling to buy groceries. Magic doesn't pay the mortgage.

And speaking of that economic downturn, what a swell time to have a headless Department of Economic Development.

After accepting Tramontina's resignation, Gov. Chet Culver swiftly suspended the tax credit program. He asked the attorney general and state auditor to investigate, and he deserves credit for taking action. But did our hero arrive too late?

Culver's recurring role in “Honey I Blew Up the Budget” won't end.

The film credit fiasco was part two in a dubious double feature. Also last week, we learned the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System leaked billions of dollars while stocks tanked. Culver's patented “there's no reason for alarm” on pensions was still hanging in the air when the film credits caper became a plot for “Oceans 14.”

But what happened in Des Moines didn't stay in Des Moines.

Republicans are giddily giving two thumbs up. “It left me wanting more, much more. I smell sequel” raved Culver's critics. But the light now being shined on Iowa's shadowy web of special interest tax credits could make things hot for both parties.

Encouraging filmmaking is a good idea. But if it takes blindly throwing away buckets of public bucks, perhaps Iowa isn't ready for its close-up. Our leaders need to clean up the mess, demand accountability and fix the program.

The saga is still unfolding. I'm on the edge of my seat. Pass the Raisinettes.

Todd Dorman's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Contact him at (319) 398-8452 or todd.dorman@gazcomm.com