State-by-state glance at tax, fee changes

ALABAMA — Republican Gov. Bob Riley won legislative approval for the state's largest tax increase — on cigarettes; car sales and leases; property and income, among others. Now voters must agree. "We are this close to putting a package together that can move this state forward for generations," Riley said last week.

ALASKA — Car registrations, business licenses, tires — all will cost more, as state turned to fees to raise revenue. Much more money, however, was tapped by sending to the state budget oil revenue that used to go directly to Alaska's citizens.

ARIZONA — University students will pay the state an estimated $82.1 million in higher tuition and fees, while lawmakers hope to give manufacturers a break on corporate income taxes. They also raised taxes on health plans that provide Medicaid services — but promise to reimburse them later from federal money.

ARKANSAS — Marriage — $13 more for the license. Birth certificates — $4 more. Cigarettes — 25 cents more a pack. Income taxes go up, and so does tuition at state-run colleges.

CALIFORNIA — Negotiations — and tension — continue over soaring deficits and proposals for sweeping cuts and tax increases. "You want to rumble? I'm from the streets, let's rumble," Democratic Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson said, challenging Republicans as joint House-Senate discussions began.

COLORADO — Taxes were off the table. But fees go up for dozens of licenses, permits and penalties. That means higher costs for nurses' licenses, well permits and criminal court fees; also those who get public assistance or state social services will pay more.

CONNECTICUT — An earlier budget agreement this year raised taxes on everyone's income, cigarettes and some sales. Continuing budget problems have left legislators and GOP Gov. John Rowland at odds, and the session has gone into overtime.

DELAWARE — Democratic Gov. Ruth Ann Minner proposed a combination of higher business taxes and fees, along with higher taxes on cigarettes and casino revenue, to solve state's deficit.

FLORIDA — Raised $160 million in fees, but no taxes. "I don't consider an increase in fees to be a tax increase," said GOP state Rep. Joe Negron. "There are many services provided by the government where it's appropriate for users to contribute to their cost — from tuition to drivers licenses to people in agriculture paying for an autopsy on a dead cow."