Some state taxes, fees drop while others go up

Budget cuts will also take their toll on Californians

By Michael Gardner
4:31 p.m., June 30, 2011

SACRAMENTO — Starting Friday, Californians can buy and license a new car for less money than yesterday.

How much less? Try $300 on a $20,000 purchase.

That’s because two temporary tax increases — sales and vehicle licenses — expired at midnight after Gov. Jerry Brown and Republican lawmakers failed to strike a deal on extending the taxes as part of a new budget deal signed into law Thursday.

A third temporary tax hike on personal income technically expired Jan. 1, but had been part of the budget negotiations to keep the revenues flowing to the state in 2011-12.

Combined, the new lower tax rates will save the average family of four about $1,000 a year, according to various state figures.

“Today, young families in California should celebrate ... I have seen how these taxes going to state government impacts their budgets,â€