Cost of Mississippi car tags to increase

    Lt. Governor Phil Bryant wants the state legislature to use $25 million from a proposed cigarette tax hike to offset these higher Mississippi tag taxes.
    But so far the House and Senate have been unable to agree on how much to raise the cigarette tax.
    The prospect of paying more for car tags doesn’t sit well with Hinds County residents.
    “The tags are already high enough here in Mississippi, and taxes are going upon everything…” says Dawn Luckey.
    Jackson resident Erik MacKinnon says “I hate to see tags go up any more than they are.”
    Hinds County Tax Collector Eddie Fair says his hands are tied. 
    “I’m affected just like everybody else we hope it doesn’t happen.”
    Last week the State Tax Commission voted to raise car tags to replenish a fund that reimburses local governments.
    The hike takes effect July 1st.
    Bryant wants lawmakers to create a special committee to look for a long term solution to the funding problem.