State Rep. Edna Brown (D., Toledo) on Monday urged Toledo City Council to reject the proposal to create an 8-percent tax on entertainment.

Ms. Brown, a former city council member who is now running for a state Senate seat, held a news conference in front of Fifth Third Field, where she was joined by representatives of the Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye baseball and hockey teams, Imagination Station, and other outlets.

She said the tax would hurt the entertainment, cultural, and sports venues that create jobs downtown and attract business to the city. She said most of the outlets are in her House district, the 48th.

"In my opinion, attendance will decrease. Employment will decrease, which will increase unemployment. The city council and the mayor can certainly find another way to balance the budget," Ms. Brown said.

Mayor Mike Bell, facing a $25 million deficit that last week was suddenly trimmed from a $48 million deficit, is urging city council to adopt the entertainment fee to raise about $1 million for the city to avoid police department layoffs.

Council must adopt a balanced budget by Wednesday.

First Published March 29, 2010, 8:41 p.m.