Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Changes coming New Year's Day
By Mary Lazich
Friday, Dec 28 2007, 02:30 PM
It will cost more to drive and smoke in Wisconsin beginning January 1, 2008.
On New Year’s Day, fees and taxes increase for motor vehicle registration and other car and truck-related services, and a $1 per pack increase on cigarettes takes effect.
The changes were part of the state budget approved in October that I voted against because it taxes and spends too much.
The annual registration fee for automobiles will go from $55 to $75. For light trucks up to 4,500 pounds, the fee goes from $48.50 to $75. Owners of trucks between 4,500 pounds and 6,000 pounds will see an increase in their registration fees from $61.50 to $84. For trucks up to 8,000 pounds, the fees go from $77.50 to $106. Registration fees for heavy trucks of over 8,000 pounds, for which there are 16 different classifications, are going up 30 percent.
Title fees will go from $28.50 to $53 in 2008. License renewals will cost an extra $10 to make up for costs to put in place the federal Real ID Act specifications for driver’s licenses.
In addition to the cigarette tax jumping to $1.77 a pack, the tax on "tobacco products” other than cigarettes increases from the current 25 percent of the manufacturers’ list price to 50 percent. "Moist snuff" tobacco users will see the tax go from a price-based tax to a weight-based tax of $1.31 per ounce.
The Legislative Reference Bureau has put together a list of laws taking effect on January 1, 2008.
