Makes sense. Practical all states are in budget trouble due to the financial panic. They are scrambling for revenue (only cut education so much before you just repeal compulsory education). And extra taxes for visitors aren't exactly a new thing. Every time a team wants a new stadium or hockey arena, it is partly funded by entertainment district taxes. So it was only a matter of time that popular destinations would realize "Hey, here's some taxpayers we haven't bled yet". The more popular the destination, the more the tax. Only solution I can think of is never terminate your flight there. Land someplace that nobody wants to go to and then rent a car. Wait. The plane ticket will cost more plus you have to pay extra for the car. Guess we're back to the direct flight as the "cheapest" option. Damn, and they probably know that, too.