New York State legislature

State lawmakers look to increase by up to 40 percent spending to combat the escalating heroin crisis in New York.

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.

Assembly Democrats publicly stood behind the speaker after his arrest on federal corruption charges yesterday, as the Republican minority called for his immediate resignation.