2018 has brought changes to state and city laws that will forever change the way we live our every day lives. From cigarette prices and minimum wage to childcare and seatbelts. Here’s everything you need to know.
A new year means new beginnings. In this case, the beginning of some new city and state-wide laws. Likely at least one of the following 6 laws will affect you, for the positive we hope. Here are the 6 new laws that will change our daily lives in NYC:
Minimum Wage
In 2016, the state Legislature approved the plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 across New York state. In New York City the new law increases wage rises up until 2019, and until 2021 for the rest of NY state.
Starting January 1, 2018, business owners in New York City with 11 employees or more have to pay at least $13 an hour. Business owners with less have to pay employees a minimum of $12 an hour.
Child Care Tax Credit
This year sees the expansion of child care tax credit for families with up to five kids making between $50,000 to $150,000 a year. Taking effect on January 1, the $6000 cap on tax-deductible child care was raised three thousand dollars to $9,000.
Pharmacies Can’t Sell Cigarettes.
In the summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a law banning Pharmacies from selling tobacco products. That change will go into effect this year when pharmacies’ tobacco licences expire.
Paid Family Leave
A new piece of legislation was passed in April. The paid family leave program will pay for any private sector employee to take up to eight weeks leave to bond with a new child or care for a family member.
The state takes a small cut from your pay, $1,63 per week, and that money goes into a fund to pay for the program.
Cigarette Prices Will Increase
The mayor’s crusade against tobacco continues. Mayor de Blasio signed a law raising the minimum price for a pack of smokes from $10.50 to $13.
Seat-belts In Taxi Cabs
A state-wide statute that went into effect back in November requires every taxi driver to wear a seat-belt and have a seat-belt for any front seat passenger. Crazy that it wasn’t a law before.
Featured image source [Wikimedia Commons]