Movie Production in Baton Rouge

[steve3n8]

Buzz building for B.R. film biz

    

The second half of 2012 was pretty slow for the film business, in Baton Rouge and elsewhere. But now pilot season is upon us, and Patrick Mulhearn, director of studio operations at Raleigh Studios Baton Rouge, says his phone is ringing off the hook. "If even a fraction of these films and TV pilots land here," Mulhearn says, "2013 will blow the doors off every previous year in Baton Rouge." Liza Kelso, assistant director with the Baton Rouge Film Commission, agrees that the buzz is picking up, although the commission doesn't have any solid information to release yet. "It is exciting," she says. "We've got a lot of stuff hovering, hopefully making a landing soon. We cannot wait." Louisiana's film business is heavily subsidized by state tax incentives, and the industry will watch the next legislative session closely to see whether tax reform entails changes to the incentive program. However, Mulhearn says he doesn't think anyone believes the incentives are going away anytime soon, adding that any changes likely wouldn't kick in until after July 1. He says film industry-related business owners looking to set up shop for the long term tend to view Gov. Bobby Jindal and LED Secretary Stephen Moret as pro-growth and pro-industry. —David Jacobs

Businessreport.com

[cajun]

Good news.

Baton Rouge needs their own union designation to continue this. I'm not okay with more and more state incentives going to a New Orleans specific business. I'd support junking the whole package if the Capitol region doesn't get it's own local in a couple of years.

[Antrell Williams]

Good news.

Baton Rouge needs their own union designation to continue this. I'm not okay with more and more state incentives going to a New Orleans specific business. I'd support junking the whole package if the Capitol region doesn't get it's own local in a couple of years.

I agree with that wholeheartedly but I wouldn't say it's a New Orleans specific business.

[cajun]

It isn't yet.

When New Orleans (and Shreveport) has the facilities to meet demand, Baton Rouge's film industry will slowly die. The union designation is absolutely critical.

Edited February 4, 2013 by cajun

[LAWdesigns]

oh boy...more movies! time for BR to have some sitcom's to be filmed here...i dont want to go to hollywood or universal just to watch a filming of a sitcom, when its in our own backdoors.

[dan326]

Well, it was nice while it lasted. It's a shame you have to give billionaires millions in rebates and credits to do business.

 

 

Disney issues moratorium on new film projects in Louisiana; other studios may follow

Stephanie Riegel

June 22, 2015

 

On the heels of the recent legislative session, during which state lawmakers instituted a “back end” cap on movie industry tax credits, Celtic Studios Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn booked a flight to Los Angeles and spent four days last week meeting with executives at five of the six major motion picture studios. He describes it as an amnesty trip and says the message he brought didn’t go over well.

“I think they were shocked,” he says. “To say it went over like a lead balloon would be an overstatement. It went over like the Hindenburg.”

Mulhearn declines to say exactly with whom he met, though he confirms executives at Disney/ABC have placed a moratorium on sending any new projects to Louisiana. That’s significant, Mulhearn says.

“The whole industry is based on stability, certainty and bankability,” he says. “All of that is now thrown into question.”

The controversial legislation, which Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law last week, caps the state’s movie production tax credits at $180 million annually for the next three years. That’s about $77 million less than the state was otherwise expected to spend in the fiscal year that begins July.

While the tax credit cap is troubling enough to supporters of the program, the bigger problem is that the new law caps tax credits when they are redeemed, not when they’re issued. As a practical matter, that means producers who apply for them won’t be able to bank on getting them.

“People won’t know if the state is going to honor their tax credit,” Mulhearn says. “What will this mean for taxpayers? Can you claim this on your return?”

Other takeaways from meeting with studio execs, says Mulhearn:

• Some don’t think they can trust the Legislature and the next governor to undo the changes. “They need to know the next governor/Legislature will not try to suspend the buyback again,” Mulhearn says.
• Louisiana Economic Development will likely get inundated with requests to get projects initially certified and grandfathered into the old law before July 1.
• Scripted TV series are probably the least affected by the changes, but they don’t necessarily like the new law either.
• LED and the state Department of Revenue will have to quickly issue administrative rules to clarify some of the confusion.

“I’m not sure how you un-bake this cake,” Mulhearn says. “But we can minimize the danger through rulings to make sure taxpayers are protected.”

—Stephanie Riegel

 

Edited June 22, 2015 by dan326

[greg225]

Well, it was nice while it lasted. It's a shame you have to give billionaires millions in rebates and credits to do business.

Why cap one group? Why the state don't cap oil and gas they get rebates and tax breaks to? Oil and Gas companies are worst big billionaires eating on tax payers money.  If they did it to all big companies I would not have a problem with it. Selecting one group not solving the problem. 

Edited June 22, 2015 by greg225

[dan326]

They say it's because it's costing more money then it's paying off.

[Mr. Burnham]

I'm very disappointed in this decision. The film industry brought a new economic industry into the state and city. It was helping to diversify our economy. Why is that everytime Baton Rouge look like it's about to take off everything goes down crap creek?

[all2neat]

I don't know if it's possible to say the tax credits cost more than they took in. You have to figure all the support companies, including studios to food caterer to local actors to hair stylists all benefited. I know the cost is a know and it was growing beyond belief but when you look at the impact to those not directly receiving the credit but having work because of it, I think it's a loss for the state.  

[greg225]

‘Navy SEALs vs. Zombies’ movie shot in Louisiana gets release date               

“Navy SEALs vs. Zombies,” an independent action-horror flick shot in Baton Rouge and starring former LSU track star Lolo Jones, has a release date.

 

The Louisiana-heavy movie, directed by race car driver Stanton Barrett, is set to come out on Digital HD on Sept. 25 and on DVD and On Demand on Oct. 6, per a news release from the film’s publicist.

As The Advocate reported earlier this year, the movie took over the State Capitol for several days, filming in the governor’s office and the House and Senate chambers.

Details were being held tight at the time, but now more information about the plot has been revealed. Synopsis from the news release: “After losing all contact with the Vice President during a routine campaign stop in Louisiana, the U.S. Government sends in a team of Navy SEALs for the rescue. Dropped into a warzone, the SEALs quickly discover that they aren’t dealing with a normal enemy. The city is under siege by hordes of fast-moving, flesh- eating undead. The infection is spreading and urban warfare has been unleashed. With no cure in sight and time running out, the elite unit has to survive their most horrific mission.”

In addition to Jones, the movie’s cast includes former NBA player Rick Fox, Michael Dudikoff, Molly Hagan, Ed Quinn and actual Navy SEALs.

The $1.2 million film has applied for state tax credits, under Louisiana’s film incentives program.      http://theadvocate.com/news/13404533-123/louisiana-shot-navy-seals-vs-zombies

[greg225]

Four block of North Street to be closed Monday for movie filming      Road closures: North Street will be closed Monday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. for filming of Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher 2: Never Go Back. Baton Rouge police will block traffic in the 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks of North Street before, during and after the closure. Over the weekend, “no parking” signs will be placed along portions of North, Third and Fourth streets, and the Capitol side of Spanish Town Road until 8 p.m. Monday, and along parts of North and Lafayette streets until 8 p.m. Tuesday.  https://www.businessreport.com/article/news-roundup-baton-rouge-casinos-win-big-october-new-womens-clinic-opens-odonovan-medical-plaza-four-block-north-street-closed-monday-movie-fi

[greg225]

Jack Reacher’ filming to shutter portion of Florida Street on Tuesday    Action!: A portion of Florida Street downtown, between Seventh and Ninth streets, will be closed to traffic between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday due to filming of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, which stars Tom Cruise. Mayor Kip Holden’s office says Baton Rouge police will be on location, restricting traffic before, during and after the closure. No parking signs will be posted on the affected streets. The production is working with local police, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and city-parish traffic engineers to minimize traffic delays and assist with detour routes, Holden’s office says. Trucks will be rerouted to North Street to avoid the closure.  https://www.businessreport.com/article/news-roundup-jack-reacher-filming-shutter-portion-florida-street-tuesday-applications-now-accepted-spring-session-futures-fund-initial

[cajun]

On 7/11/2015 at 10:17 AM, mr. bernham said:

I'm very disappointed in this decision. The film industry brought a new economic industry into the state and city. It was helping to diversify our economy. Why is that everytime Baton Rouge look like it's about to take off everything goes down crap creek?

The New Orleans political muscle was blocking Baton Rouge from getting a union designation for stage workers and film production crews.   It was a state wide incentive program to build industry within the state....not yet huge subsidy to build an industry in New Orleans at the expense of taxpayers that don't live there.    Until more designations are created in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, I'd cut the incentives completely.  

Edited January 4, 2016 by cajun

[Mr. Burnham]

7 hours ago, cajun said:

The New Orleans political muscle was blocking Baton Rouge from getting a union designation for stage workers and film production crews.   It was a state wide incentive program to build industry within the state....not yet huge subsidy to build an industry in New Orleans at the expense of taxpayers that don't live there.    Until more designations are created in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, I'd cut the incentives completely.  

I actually agree with all of this. Why is it that Baton Rouge and Lafayette can not come together to create the political muscle necessary to beat New Orleans down.

[Antrell Williams]

22 hours ago, mr. bernham said:

I actually agree with all of this. Why is it that Baton Rouge and Lafayette can not come together to create the political muscle necessary to beat New Orleans down.

Beating New Orleans down means beating Louisiana down. Remember who pulls most of the weight in Louisiana.

[cajun]

13 hours ago, Antrell Williams said:

Beating New Orleans down means beating Louisiana down. Remember who pulls most of the weight in Louisiana.

Demanding that New Orleans political interest don't continue to walk all over the rest of the state isn't the same as beating it down.

[Mr. Burnham]

On 1/6/2016 at 10:40 PM, Antrell Williams said:

Beating New Orleans down means beating Louisiana down. Remember who pulls most of the weight in Louisiana.

New Orleans is barely larger than Baton Rouge, and not to mention the two cities pull very equal weight. New Orleans, simply by being the largest city (barely so I might add), does not give them the right to walk all over the entire state, nor does it give them the right to demand the rest of the state fund an entire NOLA *exclusive* industry. 

Look at my home state of Florida; Miami is our largest city, but Tampa and Orlando and Miami all work together and try to grow one anothers industries. The cities work together to help the state and no city is so visibly valued more than others like New Orleans is here in Louisiana. The same thing in Texas even though Houston and Dallas are two of the nations five largest cities. Louisiana, for some extremely strange reason puts New Orleans above all else and I believe the vast public is sick of it, especially when metro regions like Baton Rouge and to smaller extents Lafayette and Shreveport are growing to not only be able to compete with cities nationally, but to rival New Orleans power. 

As I've pointed out in the past, Baton Rouge's metro population is only 200,000 short of New Orleans. And the New Orleans population numbers are very misleading given the parishes it apparently covers. If anything I would say the two cities, population wise are extremely even. When it comes to economic activity, while Baton Rouge is not near New Orleans in terms of start-ups, Baton Rouge is rising up. This city is rising to not only rival New Orleans, but I think it ultimately will outgrow New Orleans. 

The bottom line is that New Orleans can not expect the rest of the state to sacrafice and fund them if they are not going to do the same. It must be a mutually beneficial relationship and if its not? Well once BR, Lafayette, and Shreveport really can overpower New Orleans, they will, and New Orleans will be royally screwed.

[greg225]

10 minutes ago, mr. bernham said:

 

Look at my home state of Florida; Miami is our largest city, but Tampa and Orlando and Miami all work together and try to grow one anothers industries

  Jacksonville is the Largest city in Florida Miami just act like it.

Edited January 7, 2016 by greg225

[Mr. Burnham]

42 minutes ago, greg225 said:

  Jacksonville is the Largest city in Florida Miami just act like it.

Jacksonville has a metro population of 1.4 million people

Miami has a metro population of 5.1 million. 

My hometown of Tampa is at a comfortable 4.3 million people in the metro 

Orlando comes in third with a population of 2.2 million people

However, all of these cities can work together in order to bring progress and development to the entire state. No city is more valued than another.

 

[Antrell Williams]

11 hours ago, cajun said:

Demanding that New Orleans political interest don't continue to walk all over the rest of the state isn't the same as beating it down.

I'm moreso responding to the rest of his comments regarding New Orleans, as well as this comment. I do agree.

42 minutes ago, mr. bernham said:

New Orleans is barely larger than Baton Rouge, and not to mention the two cities pull very equal weight. New Orleans, simply by being the largest city (barely so I might add), does not give them the right to walk all over the entire state, nor does it give them the right to demand the rest of the state fund an entire NOLA *exclusive* industry. 

Look at my home state of Florida; Miami is our largest city, but Tampa and Orlando and Miami all work together and try to grow one anothers industries. The cities work together to help the state and no city is so visibly valued more than others like New Orleans is here in Louisiana. The same thing in Texas even though Houston and Dallas are two of the nations five largest cities. Louisiana, for some extremely strange reason puts New Orleans above all else and I believe the vast public is sick of it, especially when metro regions like Baton Rouge and to smaller extents Lafayette and Shreveport are growing to not only be able to compete with cities nationally, but to rival New Orleans power. 

As I've pointed out in the past, Baton Rouge's metro population is only 200,000 short of New Orleans. And the New Orleans population numbers are very misleading given the parishes it apparently covers. If anything I would say the two cities, population wise are extremely even. When it comes to economic activity, while Baton Rouge is not near New Orleans in terms of start-ups, Baton Rouge is rising up. This city is rising to not only rival New Orleans, but I think it ultimately will outgrow New Orleans. 

The bottom line is that New Orleans can not expect the rest of the state to sacrafice and fund them if they are not going to do the same. It must be a mutually beneficial relationship and if its not? Well once BR, Lafayette, and Shreveport really can overpower New Orleans, they will, and New Orleans will be royally screwed.

New Orleans city has about 384k and Baton Rouge about 230k, and we're looking at 1.2m in NOLA MSA versus 800k over here. New Orleans is bigger and it will be for at least 20 years. I agree with you guys, but it's not as if Baton Rouge's power hasn't affected New Orleans in the same way. It's one of the main reasons some New Orleanians despise Baton Rouge.  

So you're telling me that Miami isn't more valued as the powerhouse and the face of Florida? 

The gap is actually closer to 400k. I'm baffled at your logic, truly. Metro numbers aren't opinions, if anything metro numbers often don't correctly express the larger size of influence cities have and they are based on commute patterns. Such as Tangipahoa Parish being it's own MSA and not in either Baton Rouge or New Orleans. There is absolutely no evidence to support the idea that Baton Rouge will outgrow New Orleans. Ever. Could I see Baton Rouge becoming (significantly) larger? Yes but not in the next 30 years. Let's not act like Baton Rouge is seeing Austin type growth.

7 minutes ago, mr. bernham said:

Jacksonville has a metro population of 1.4 million people

Miami has a metro population of 5.1 million. 

My hometown of Tampa is at a comfortable 4.3 million people in the metro 

Orlando comes in third with a population of 2.2 million people

However, all of these cities can work together in order to bring progress and development to the entire state. No city is more valued than another.

 

Tampa is at a MSA of about 3m, Sarasota CSA is at about 900k. Tampa doesn't even have a CSA to include Sarasota. 

So why do you support the divison between Baton Rouge and New Orleans? We need them. 

[Mr. Burnham]

4 minutes ago, Antrell Williams said:

I'm moreso responding to the rest of his comments regarding New Orleans, as well as this comment. I do agree.

New Orleans city has about 384k and Baton Rouge about 230k, and we're looking at 1.2m in NOLA MSA versus 800k over here. New Orleans is bigger and it will be for at least 20 years. I agree with you guys, but it's not as if Baton Rouge's power hasn't affected New Orleans in the same way. It's one of the main reasons some New Orleanians despise Baton Rouge.  

Those numbers do not factor in the fact that Baton Rouge has 100k people living south of city limits and north of parish limits that is unincorporated. Baton Rouge's population is around 330k to be more accurate and account for people that live in BR, but not legally speaking. Not to mention, the EBR Parish population is 400k, Orleans is 380k. A 20k difference, but still it means that depending on how you look at it, Baton Rouge is larger. Now, I will say Baton Rouge is smaller metro wise than New Orleans, but even though Miami is a million people larger than Tampa, the two cities are seen as equals. 

My larger point is that the relationship between Baton Rouge and New Orleans should be more equal. The two cities should be speaking on equal terms, because for all intensive purposes, the two cities are roughly the same size. The entire dynamic that exists where New Orleans is King (even though they only have 400k more people) is not only harmful for them, but it is hurting the entire state. 

10 minutes ago, Antrell Williams said:

So you're telling me that Miami isn't more valued as the powerhouse and the face of Florida? 

As a native, of the state, yes. Miami is still valued, but who brings in more tourists? Orlando. Who is attracting the most families? Tampa. Who is seeing more investment and development? Miami. Each of our largest cities have areas where they out perform the other and under-perform and this causes the relationship between them to be more equal and for our legislature to treat them as more equal entities. In Florida we do not have as massive a superiority complex as cities here in Louisiana do. 

 

13 minutes ago, Antrell Williams said:

The gap is actually closer to 400k. I'm baffled at your logic, truly. Metro numbers aren't opinions, if anything metro numbers often don't correctly express the larger size of influence cities have and they are based on commute patterns. Such as Tangipahoa Parish being it's own MSA and not in either Baton Rouge or New Orleans. There is absolutely no evidence to support the idea that Baton Rouge will outgrow New Orleans. Ever. Could I see Baton Rouge becoming (significantly) larger? Yes but not in the next 30 years. Let's not act like Baton Rouge is seeing Austin type growth.

You are correct, but metro populations are still very deceiving and in many cases numbers are larger than they should be because of parishes or counties that are absorbed to boost numbers. Both Baton Rouge and New Orleans are guilty of this. Houston is a wonderful example of this. Metro numbers are iffy and they are subjective depending how they are being looked at. Of course this doesn't change the fact that Baton Rouge is smaller than New Orleans, but I would argue that the difference is not as massive as certain numbers seem to suggest. 

And of course it's not going to happen in 20 years, but I would say in 30 years Baton Rouge will be the states largest city, whether it is within limits or in the metro. 

19 minutes ago, Antrell Williams said:

Tampa is at a MSA of about 3m, Sarasota CSA is at about 900k. Tampa doesn't even have a CSA to include Sarasota. 

The Tampa Bay Area population is 4,310,524  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Area; " The population of the Tampa Bay Area is estimated at 4,310,524 people as of 2012. The Tampa Bay Partnership and U.S. Census data showed an average annual growth of 2.5 percent, or a gain of approximately 97,000 residents per year between 2000 and 2006, growing from 3.4 million to 3.9 million and hitting the 4 million mark on April 1, 2007.^[7][7] A 2012 estimate of the Tampa Bay Area shows a projection of about 4.7 million residents by 2017"

21 minutes ago, Antrell Williams said:

So why do you support the divison between Baton Rouge and New Orleans? We need them. 

We need them, they need us. They do not want us, and though it seems archaic I don't think Baton Rouge should wast its time trying to engage New Orleans in a one-sided love. 

[Antrell Williams]

On 1/7/2016 at 0:44 AM, mr. bernham said:

Those numbers do not factor in the fact that Baton Rouge has 100k people living south of city limits and north of parish limits that is unincorporated. Baton Rouge's population is around 330k to be more accurate and account for people that live in BR, but not legally speaking. Not to mention, the EBR Parish population is 400k, Orleans is 380k. A 20k difference, but still it means that depending on how you look at it, Baton Rouge is larger. Now, I will say Baton Rouge is smaller metro wise than New Orleans, but even though Miami is a million people larger than Tampa, the two cities are seen as equals. 

My larger point is that the relationship between Baton Rouge and New Orleans should be more equal. The two cities should be speaking on equal terms, because for all intensive purposes, the two cities are roughly the same size. The entire dynamic that exists where New Orleans is King (even though they only have 400k more people) is not only harmful for them, but it is hurting the entire state. 

As a native, of the state, yes. Miami is still valued, but who brings in more tourists? Orlando. Who is attracting the most families? Tampa. Who is seeing more investment and development? Miami. Each of our largest cities have areas where they out perform the other and under-perform and this causes the relationship between them to be more equal and for our legislature to treat them as more equal entities. In Florida we do not have as massive a superiority complex as cities here in Louisiana do. 

 

You are correct, but metro populations are still very deceiving and in many cases numbers are larger than they should be because of parishes or counties that are absorbed to boost numbers. Both Baton Rouge and New Orleans are guilty of this. Houston is a wonderful example of this. Metro numbers are iffy and they are subjective depending how they are being looked at. Of course this doesn't change the fact that Baton Rouge is smaller than New Orleans, but I would argue that the difference is not as massive as certain numbers seem to suggest. 

And of course it's not going to happen in 20 years, but I would say in 30 years Baton Rouge will be the states largest city, whether it is within limits or in the metro. 

The Tampa Bay Area population is 4,310,524  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Area; " The population of the Tampa Bay Area is estimated at 4,310,524 people as of 2012. The Tampa Bay Partnership and U.S. Census data showed an average annual growth of 2.5 percent, or a gain of approximately 97,000 residents per year between 2000 and 2006, growing from 3.4 million to 3.9 million and hitting the 4 million mark on April 1, 2007.^[7][7] A 2012 estimate of the Tampa Bay Area shows a projection of about 4.7 million residents by 2017"

We need them, they need us. They do not want us, and though it seems archaic I don't think Baton Rouge should wast its time trying to engage New Orleans in a one-sided love. 

Baton Rouge is an incorporated city, it's population is exactly that, just because the unincorporated areas are called Baton Rouge doesn't mean that it's Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish is larger than New Orleans, also doesn't make Baton Rouge larger than New Orleans. Baton Rouge is not synonymous with East Baton Rouge Parish.

Tampa and Miami seen as equals? Maybe to people from Tampa.

Of course the cities are better than others in certain aspects and worse in another. Same thing with New Orleans and BR. Doesn't necessarily mean they are treated fairly. I'm not that familiar with Florida so I won't contest but I'm inclined to believe that Miami gets the most attention from the state.

Parishes aren't "absorbed" into an MSA, they are added via commute patterns. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have no control over their MSA or CSA designations. Same with Houston. 

Just the sphere of influence alone make New Orleans that much larger. People from around the globe travel there, people from Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama make shopping trips there. It has 2 professional teams and the beat of a city 3 times it's size. I would argue that without looking at the numbers, New Orleans feels vastly larger than Baton Rouge.

Tampa Bay Area (the link you provided) is not a MSA or CSA. It's like saying the Pontraplex (BR/NO/Northshore) is 2 million people and then saying New Orleans area is 2 million. It's misleading to say Tampa and Miami are only separated by 1 million people. Tampa and Sarasota are separate metro's like the San Francisco and San Jose and DC and Baltimore. Chicago burbs touch Milwaukee's and same goes for NYC and Philly. They might butt up to each other but it doesn't automatically make them one MSA. 

 

[Mr. Burnham]

7 hours ago, Antrell Williams said:

Baton Rouge is an incorporated city, it's population is exactly that, just because the unincorporated areas are called Baton Rouge doesn't mean that it's Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish is larger than New Orleans, also doesn't make Baton Rouge larger than New Orleans. Baton Rouge is not synonymous with East Baton Rouge Parish.

 

I'm not talking about places like Baker, Zachary, and Central, I'm talking about the massive swath of land called St. George. That land had no true disconnect from the actual city of Baton Rouge like other areas do. Not to mention that is probably the only area in the parish so connected to the main city. I mean, we can pull up maps if you want, but there are 100,000 people living in Baton Rouge, but in unincorporated highly developed land. 

 

8 hours ago, Antrell Williams said:

Tampa and Miami seen as equals? Maybe to people from Tampa.

Of course the cities are better than others in certain aspects and worse in another. Same thing with New Orleans and BR. Doesn't necessarily mean they are treated fairly. I'm not that familiar with Florida so I won't contest but I'm inclined to believe that Miami gets the most attention from the state.

Tampa Bay Area (the link you provided) is not a MSA or CSA. It's like saying the Pontraplex (BR/NO/Northshore) is 2 million people and then saying New Orleans area is 2 million. It's misleading to say Tampa and Miami are only separated by 1 million people. Tampa and Sarasota are separate metro's like the San Francisco and San Jose and DC and Baltimore. Chicago burbs touch Milwaukee's and same goes for NYC and Philly. They might butt up to each other but it doesn't automatically make them one MSA. 

 

As a former Floridian, I can say that yes, Tampa and Miami are in most respects treated equally. You have to understand that unlike Louisiana, Florida has done a very good job of spreading out different economic powerhouses. No city really gets more attention than the other, if there is that gets too much attention it's probably Orlando because of the massive Theme Park Industry there. 

Contained within the dark blue 'Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA' is 2.7 million people. However, nearly all entities at the state level (which we are arguing over how does the state treat other cities comparatively) include the Tampa - St. Peterburg - Clearwater MSA, Sarasota - Bradenton MSA, Lakeland - Winterhaven MSA, and Citrus Country. Even our local transportation authority uses this larger definition. The population here is 4.3 million. This all based on commuter patterns and influence. 

[dan326]

^Well I can't really say how the cities in Florida are treated but I think what the others are trying to say is that for the most part people from outside the state know Miami, then Orlando and the rest is pretty much irrelevant in people's minds like BR and Louisiana. 

And really from what I've seen Baton Rouge was irrelevant in a lot of ways in LA until the last 20-30 years. I've come to the point where I think it may be a good idea to combine with New Orleans because our city probably seems half the size it is, not because of straight population numbers vs population+unincorporated areas but because of the percentage of the population without disposable income and other statistics.