Transport, life at work, cannabis… the changes of year always bring their share of price increases and new regulations – especially since in 2022, New York elected officials have not been idle: they have adopted nearly than 200 new laws coming into force this year. Here are some changes in your daily life in New York.
Cannabis – Did you think cannabis was already available over the counter in New York, given the number of stores that sold it? Well no. Officially, the first outlet opened on December 29 in lower Manhattan at 750 Broadway. 174 others have received or are about to obtain authorization to open and 900 are awaiting a response. Dozens of unauthorized shops had already been established for years without being really worried by the city authorities. Cannabis is now a regulated and very lucrative market for the city: at least $1.25 billion expected in the city’s coffers over the next six years. NY State decriminalized cannabis in March 2021.
City Bike – Lyft, owner of the 30,000 bicycles in the bike sharing of the city, does not go out of its way to increase its prices: +11% for the annual subscription, which will increase on January 29 from 185 to 205 dollars and +12.5% for the ride simple, which will go from January 5 from 3.99 to 4.49 dollars. THE pass daily will experience the greatest increase: +26%, its price going from 15 to 19 dollars.
Commuter trains – Grand Central Madison’s opening, originally scheduled for December 2022, was delayed by a few weeks as safety testing was not completed on time, the MTA said. The brand new station hall, located under Grand Central, should therefore be inaugurated in the coming weeks. It will provide access to commuter trains for Long Island (the LIRR lines), a monumental project – the construction of 13 kilometers of tunnel, part of which under the East River – which will have lasted for years and cost 11 billion dollars.
Metro – The MTA is adapting to the new post-covid work rhythm. Faced with the drop in subway ridership during the week, the company has undertaken the reorganization of its services and plans, starting in June, to reduce the number of its subway trains on Mondays and Fridays, days when many New Yorkers stay working at home. These reductions will affect lines 1, 6, 7, E, F, L and Q. The public transport company plans to add trains at the weekend on the busiest lines: H, J and M. Good news for residents of Brooklyn and Queens.
Driver’s license – From January 11, a new chapter will be added to the driver’s license test for pedestrian and cyclist safety. “ This law will help prevent accidents and save lives “, estimated the governor Kathy Hochul last summer, during the adoption of the text.
Electric cars – From January 21, the electric vehicle law (Electric Vehicle Rights Act) will prohibit homeowner associations from preventing landlords from installing electric charging stations on their properties. A small boost to the development of electric cars in a city that is lagging in adopting green options, especially compared to other major American cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Feeding with milk – All employers in New York must now offer a private space, with a seat and a water point, to allow their employees to breastfeed in their workplace. The law also requires that employers put down, in writing, their breastfeeding policy as well as the rights of employees in this area.
Finally, if it is not already planned, New York airports must also reserve a space for breastfeeding including at least one chair, an electrical outlet, and obviously be located out of sight.
Minimum wage – Across New York State since 2016, the minimum wage has increased each year to $15/hour. This objective has already been achieved in New York (the city), Long Island and Westchester but not elsewhere. In the rest of the state, the minimum hourly wage continues to increase gradually. It has just gone from $13.20 to $14.20 and should reach $15 by December 31, 2023. Note that fast food employees are already paid at least $15 an hour in the State of New York (resulting, you may recall, from protests and strikes in this sector before the pandemic).
Paid vacation – New since January 1: brothers and sisters are added to the definition of “family members” for paid leave. According the new lawdays off taken by employees to care for a brother or sister with a (serious) health problem can now be counted as paid vacation days.
Sales calls – From March 6, a new legislation will make it easier for you to refuse to receive calls for advertising. When a telemarketer calls you, as soon as they give their name and company name, you can immediately add them to your spam list (do-not-call list). Today, the telemarketer is supposed to do it, but he waits for the end of the call, after his speechto offer it to you.
Pets – Last year to buy a dog, cat or rabbit from a pet store. Starting in 2024, these New York stores will no longer be able to sell pets. Oddly, nothing will stop New Yorkers from buying a dog or cat from another state and bringing it back to New York. Other states like California and Maryland are already restricting animal sales as part of a campaign by animal welfare organizations to shut down large farms in the Midwest. New Jersey, Texas (Dallas has already adopted this type of ban) and Massachusetts intend to follow the example of New York.
2022-12-30 08:00:00
#Whats #Changing #York #Frenchly
