Minimum wage hike

Elimination of pretrial detention for most crimes in New York has gotten a lot of attention, but other new laws take effect in the new year have wide-ranging impacts.

A special enforcement and outreach unit has been launched in New York to ensure compliance with the state’s minimum wage law, which rose to $10 per hour for most workers on Long Island Dec. 31.

Highlights: the minimum wage rises to $9 per hour ($9.75 for fast food workers); the business income tax rate drops, a small business income tax credit expands, property tax exemptions for veterans can be increased by towns, breastfeeding mothers have the 'right to pump' at work, and seven of the eight items in the state's "women's equality agenda" take effect.