Editorials

In myriad ways, McClellan's leadership has taken its lumps, many of which have been deserved.

But one area in which McClellan's caretakers are on the right track is selling filmmakers on the concept that McClellan has many of the production details they could want: good weather, beautiful landscape, buildings that could be used during filming, and privacy — particularly in certain locations around the former Army base.

Imagine McClellan as one massive sound stage.

The Joint Powers Authority does. The facility's redevelopment entity has dabbled in the movie industry in recent years, and it has lobbied for the Alabama Legislature to reinstate the tax breaks for film and television production companies that expired in 2006.

Currently, Alabama is one of about 15 states that does not use tax breaks and other incentives to lure in this lucrative and attractive industry.

But this is not about McClellan leadership. It's all about Alabama politics, a frustrating and often fruitless endeavor.

So it should be of no surprise that the Alabama Legislature failed during this session to help the JPA and other locations in the state that want to cash in on the film and TV business. Only one day remains in this session — May 19 — and the two tax-incentive bills that were introduced will not see passage. "We've simply run out of time," said Sen. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre.

One bill, which Lindsey introduced, made it to the floor for debate but was killed when the House adjourned before a vote was taken. The other bill, sponsored by senators Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, and Tom Butler, D-Madison, stalled in a House committee. Both bills already have been prepared for the next regular or special session.

This time, the failure to hand McClellan another weapon to use in its redevelopment efforts sits at the feet of the state Legislature. Filibustering over bingo bills and constant debate over the state budgets kept two important bills from gaining full traction.

But don't fret. In this case, failure shouldn't lead to frustration and finger-pointing at local leaders. The concept of marketing parts of McClellan for the film and television industry should be a no-brainer; with the proper incentives and planning, it will work.

Now all that's needed is for the Legislature — we're especially looking at you, Calhoun County's delegation — to do its part and McClellan's soon-to-be hired CEO to take this model all the way to Hollywood, if necessary. Don't let Alabama politics claim another victim.