People Could Pay Less for Movies, Golf, Amusements in Fred. Co., Md.

FREDERICK, MD - It could be cheaper to go to movies and play golf in parts of Frederick County, Maryland.

Frederick County Commissioners voted to send to public hearing a proposal to eliminate the Admissions and Amusement Tax from five percent to zero.

Commissioners estimate this would save businesses about $800,000 a year.

"This is one that we can't understand why we've been charging it, why we are charging it. Hopefully it gives businesses some relief obviously to continue to make it in a tough economy. Hopefully maybe they'll lower the rates, but if not, maybe it'll prevent their rates from going up," said Blaine Young, (R) - president of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners.

The tax relief would include amusement rides, billiards, golf cart rentals and golf fees, and movie tickets.

"We're trying to show the taxpayers of Frederick County that we're going to keep our promises and that we're going to more forward and make our government more effective, more efficient," Young said. "We're going to make it lean, and we're going to make sure that our responsibilities are funded, like pensions and retiree health care."

The board hopes getting rid of the tax would make it easier for businesses to stay open in the county.

"We're going to chalk it up as another tax that we've eliminated here in the county to be business friendly," Young said. "We want to be business friendly and take the taxes and the fees and the regulations off off of businesses so they can continue to be solvent."

Last fiscal year, the county took in about $340,000 in movie ticket taxes and about $275,000 in golf green fees.