New Laws in 2013 Could Be Costly for CA Residents - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS, Calif. -- The clock is ticking toward when a host of new laws go into effect and it turns out 2013 could be a pricey one for Californians. 

Starting tomorrow the statewide sales tax will go up a quarter of a percent. The rate was approved when voters passed prop 30 back in November to provide funding for schools.

Here's a look at the new tax rate for several Central Coast cities Santa Cruz 8.75%, Salinas 8.0%, Monterey 7.5%, Carmel 7.5%, Pacific Grove 8.5% and Soledad 8.5%. Sales taxes will range from 7.5% to 10% statewide.

Also starting tomorrow plastic bags In Monterey County are going up $.15 to $.25 cents for every bag you use when you make a purchase. "In order to curb the use of those disposable bags the idea is charging that fee for those paper bags and get away from it all together," said Sustainability Coordinator Ted Terrasas.

The city of Santa Cruz will also have their plastic bag fees increase in 2013. Pacific Grove and several other Central Coast cities are also looking into the plastic bag ban in 2013, but not everyone is excited about having to pay more to bag groceries. "It gets changed to 25 cents and I think when I do charge people they're going to be pissed off," said store owner Tommy Chun.

The U-S Department of Agriculture is also expecting food prices to increase in the new year... especially from animal-based products because of higher feed prices.

And we're not done yet. If you plan on sending a package USPS rates are also going up. A standard letter (1oz) will go up a penny to $.46. Letters to international destinations will be $1.10. Postcards also set to increase a penny to $.33.

To view tax rates by city go here.

For the USDA food price outlook here.

For information on USPS increases go here.