Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle recently signed bills that repeal the state’s automatic fuel tax increase in 2007 and prohibit credit card companies from penalizing merchants that provide discounts to cash-paying customers.
On Dec. 22, Doyle signed SB 331, repealing the annual indexing of the state’s motor vehicle fuel tax rate; the repeal will become effective April 2007. The Wisconsin fuel tax, which began in 1985 and is adjusted annually for inflation, currently is among the highest nationwide at 32.9 cents per gallon of diesel and 29.9 cents per gallon of gas. In July, Doyle approved a state budget that included a penny fuel tax reduction.
The governor also signed SB 180, which brings state consumer law into line with federal law. The new law prohibits credit card issuers from penalizing merchants who offer customer discounts for paying by cash or check instead of a credit card.
