Did you know that traffic tickets went up significantly on Jan. 1?  Me neither.  But a number of news stories from around the country confirm that many states are raising fines on drivers to help cover their budget shortfall.

 Yes, our states are nickel and diming us to balance their budgets.

In Californiia, drivers with a broken tail light can now get slapped with a $100 fee.   It used to be $0.  Connecticut already started handing out more speeding tickets.  Florida is considering taking away discounts for those who attend traffic school.  Wisconsin wants to make drunk drivers pay more.  Georgia lawmakers are proposing many new car-related fees.

Not every state is out to get drivers.  Arkansas is going after smokers.  Minnesota wants to cut arts funding.  And New York wants to tax tickets to the movies, concerts, bowling and to play golf!

Whatever happened to spending less?