If you’re shopping in Atlanta, you might notice that it’s just a little bit more expensive. The first of two sales tax increases recently approved by voters went into effect March 1, rising to 8.5 percent.

On April 1, the sales tax will increase again to 8.9 percent – the highest in the state. The two increases were approved in November to fund MARTA expansion and for transportation projects.

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.