by Hunter Wright and Evan Bourtis
News10WHEC
ALBANY, N.Y. — A new year means new laws in New York State. Here’s a look at some of the laws that are now in effect, including those relating to minimum wage, tax exemptions, and health care.
Minimum wage increase
Employees across the state who make minimum wage can expect to earn 50 cents more per hour starting on New Year’s Day.
For most of the state, including the Rochester area, the state minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour. That translates to $640 of earnings a week and about $33,000 a year. For New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, the minimum wage will increase to $17 per hour.
The state agreed to raise the minimum wage as part of the budget that lawmakers passed for the 2024 fiscal year. The minimum wage rose to $15 per hour in Upstate New York in 2024, followed by a 50-cent increase this year. For the New York City area, the minimum wage rose to $16 per hour in 2024.
In 2027, the minimum wage increase will depend on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region. The state says that’s the best regional measure of inflation.
State and federal tax
exemptions
Next tax season in New York State, people 65 or older could get a property tax exemption of up to 65%. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation in December to give older adults deductions if they live below a certain income level, set by local governments.
Before the bill passed, older adults were eligible for only a 50% exemption. State officials say the bill could translate to savings of up to $300 annually per person. You can learn more here.
There are also some recent changes to federal tax policy, including the “No Tax on Tips”, “No Tax on Overtime”, and “No Tax on Car Loan Interest” provisions. In addition, older adults can get a deduction of $6,000 for federal taxes through 2028. You can learn more about those deductions on the IRS’s website.
Styrofoam cooler ban
The sale, creation, and distribution of coolers made of polystyrene, a substance sold as Styrofoam in coolers, is now banned in 2026, according to reports.
This comes after the state regulates the substance due to the long absorption timeframe. It takes hundreds of years to decompose in the environment. Since it takes years to disintegrate, pieces of Styrofoam end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
“There are direct benefits to New York waterways and some indirect benefits for people who are living near production facilities of polystyrene,” said Judith Enck, a member of the Beyond Plastics advocacy group.
Read the full story at whec.com
