Austin News
WATCH: Texas tobacco users and others will see fee increases
06:25 PM CDT on Monday, June 29, 2009
Texas lawmakers managed to avoid tax increases in the regular session, but they did raise fees for certain everyday items.
Smokeless or "chewing" tobacco prices will go up starting this fall. The tax per can will be calculated by weight instead of base price. It could mean about $1 more per can of chewing tobacco.
The money from the new fee will go toward giving small businesses a tax break, and to a physician loan repayment program. It's aim is to draw doctors to underserved areas.
Those who park near the Texas Capitol could also get hit in the pocketbook. The fine for parking at an expired meter will jump from $10 to $25 in September. The late fees will also more than double.
And in June 2010, those who use prepaid wireless service will see a two percent fee on the purchase price of cell phone cards and disposable cell phone with minutes already loaded.
"They gotta get the money somehow, and I guess taxes aren't any fun either," said Kimberly Cyphert.
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