Transportation, working life, cannabis… year changes always bring their share of price hikes and new regulations – especially since this year, New York’s elected officials have been busy: they’ve adopted nearly 200 new laws that will effective in 2023. Here are some changes to your daily life in NYC.
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 store opened on December 29 in Lower Manhattan at 750 Broadway. another 174 have received or are about to obtain authorization to open and 900 are awaiting a response. Dozens of illegal shops had already been set up for years without the city authorities really caring. 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. New York State decriminalized cannabis in March 2021.
City bike – As of January 1, Lyft, which owns 30,000 bikes in the bike sharing of the city, will apply a sharp increase in its prices: +11% for the annual pass which goes from 185 to 205 dollars and +12.5% for the stroll single, going from $3.99 to $4.49. the ride daily saw the biggest increase: +26%, its price went from 15 to 19 dollars.
commuter trains – The opening of Grand Central Madison, originally scheduled for December 2022, was delayed by a few weeks as safety tests were not completed in time, the MTA said. The brand new station hall, located under Grand Central, is therefore expected to open in the coming weeks. It will provide access to commuter trains to Long Island (LIRR lines), a monumental project – the construction of 13 kilometers of tunnels, part of which under the East River – which will take years and cost 11 billion dollars.
Metro – The MTA is adjusting to the new post-covid pace of work. Faced with a decline in subway riders during the week, the company has embarked on 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 they stay at home to work. These reductions will affect the 1, 6, 7, E, F, L, and Q lines. The transit company plans to add weekend trains on the busiest lines: H, J, and M. Good news for Brooklyn residents and Queens.
Driver’s license – From January 11 to 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 “, Governor Kathy Hochul estimated during the adoption of the text last summer.
Electric car – From 21 January the electric vehicle law (Electric Vehicle Rights Act) will ban homeowners associations from preventing homeowners from installing electric charging stations on their properties. A small boost to the development of electric cars in a city lagging behind in adopting green options, especially compared to other large American cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Feed with milk – Effective January 1, all New York employers are required to provide a private space, with a seat and a water point, for their employees to breastfeed in the workplace. The law also requires employers to put their breastfeeding policy in writing as well as employee rights in this area.
Finally, if not already provided, New York airports must also reserve a space for breastfeeding including at least one chair, an electrical outlet, and obviously be out of sight.
Minimum salary – Across New York State since 2016, the minimum wage has increased annually to $15 an hour. This goal has already been achieved in New York (the city), Long Island and Westchester but not elsewhere. Elsewhere in the state, the minimum hourly wage continues to gradually increase. It just went from $13.20 to $14.20 and is expected to hit $15 by Dec. 31, 2023. Note that fast food employees are already paid at least $15 an hour in New York State (stemming, yes will recall, from protests and strikes in this sector before the pandemic).
Paid vacation – Starting January 1, siblings are added to the definition of “family members” for paid leave. According to the new law in fact, days of leave taken by employees to take care of a brother or sister suffering from a (serious) health problem can be counted as days of paid leave.
Sales Calls – From March 6 to new legislation will make it easier for you to decline calls for advertising. When a telemarketer calls you, as soon as they give you their name and company name, you can instantly add them to your spam list (do not call list). The telemarketer should do it today, but wait for the call to end, after his speechto offer it to you.
Pets – Last year to buy a dog, cat or rabbit from a pet store. As of 2024, these New York stores will no longer be able to sell pets. Oddly enough, nothing is going to 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 close large farms in the Midwest. New Jersey, Texas (Dallas has already adopted this type of ban) and Massachusetts intend to follow New York’s example.
