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Ed Cox, the head of New York's Republican Party, today released the GOP's "Jobs Agenda," which calls for decreases in tax credits for some businesses. File photo, 2013.

(David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- New York's Republican Party today called for scaling back tax credits for certain businesses -- including the film industry -- in its new "Jobs Agenda."

"New York State spent almost $2 billion on business tax credits in 2013 alone, nearly double the amount spent in 2010," the report says. "Too many of these credits are misdirected, ineffectual or go to highly profitable companies that do not need them. The film and television industry, for example, reaped $400 million worth of tax credits this year, including big-name studios like NBC. These tax credits do not stimulate job growth and necessitate higher overall corporate taxes on all businesses."

The GOP's report is part of a growing chorus calling for tax reform and cuts for middle class families on the eve of 2014, a statewide election year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been talking about property tax cuts -- something the Republicans also want -- and has formed two tax commissions meant to figure out ways to cut New York's infamously high rates. One of those commissions formed by the Democratic governor also called for cutting back the film credits.

The Republican report also calls for putting capital gains and estate taxes on the proposed chopping block. The agenda includes a goal of eliminating 1,000 state regulations, though it doesn't identify which ones. The report calls on allowing hydrofracking inside the state, matching job training programs with community colleges and eliminating taxes for manufacturers.

Contact Teri Weaver at tweaver@syracuse.com, 315-470-2274 or on Twitter at @TeriKWeaver.