DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Politics
Cuomo Cites Concerns About Divisive Nation, Rise In Hate Crimes During State-Of-State Speech Cuomo Cites Concerns About Divisive Nation, Rise In Hate Crimes During State-Of-State Speech
Cuomo Cites Concerns About Divisive Nation, Rise In Hate Crimes During State-Of-State Speech Gov. Andrew Cuomo's annual State-of-the-State speech took on national and global themes on Wednesday, Jan. 8. In addition to unveiling nearly three dozen initiatives, which can be accessed by clicking here, Cuomo cited concerns about racism and discrimination, calling them "a growing fear and division that is an American cancer." Recognizing that racism and discrimination are not new, he labeled them a virus in our society. "If we do not defeat it, it will defeat us," Cuomo said. "Hate and discrimination have no place in New York." Additionally, Cuomo said New York will build upo…

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by Jon Craig
Stratford, CT
News
These New CT Laws Have Gone Into Effect In 2020 These New CT Laws Have Gone Into Effect In 2020
These New CT Laws Have Gone Into Effect In 2020 A new year is bringing some new laws for residents in Connecticut. Though elected officials won’t head back to work for another week, the dawn of 2020 is bringing a host of new laws that will impact residents in the Nutmeg State. Among the biggest changes coming to Connecticut residents: Minimum wage increase to $11 an hour, which took effect late last year; The smoking age has been raised to 21; Residents will only be required to renew their driver’s license every eight years, and vehicle registration every three years; Sales tax will be included in several formerly-exempt items - inclu…

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by Zak Failla
Brentwood, NY
News
These New NY Laws Are Taking Effect In 2020 These New NY Laws Are Taking Effect In 2020
These New NY Laws Are Taking Effect In 2020 A new year is bringing some new laws for New Yorkers. Though elected officials won’t head back to work for another week, the dawn of 2020 has seen a host of new laws that will impact New York residents. The biggest change coming to the Empire State is the new state bail reform law that will eliminate cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.  A new state discovery law has also been enacted, which will require prosecutors to open their evidence to defense attorneys earlier in court proceedings. Employees working for minimum wage in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk coun…

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by Zak Failla
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Lifestyle
Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis
Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis If you lost your job or got divorced and suddenly were down to one paycheck to pay the family bills what would you do? Imagine one person dying or becoming ill in a two-income family. Where do they turn? There's an organization based in Darien that steps up to help people in dire circumstances. Emergency financial assistance is available to residents of Southern Fairfield County through grants and loans from Person-to-Person. The volunteer-run non-profit helps individuals and families who lack basic necessities or resources. People who seek the service are in a temporary crisis or livi…

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by Donna Christopher
Stamford, CT
Business
Stamford Raises Minimum Wage Ahead Of State Schedule Stamford Raises Minimum Wage Ahead Of State Schedule
Stamford Raises Minimum Wage Ahead Of State Schedule Stamford has raised the minimum wage for seasonal and part-time employees to $12.50. This increase is part of Mayor David Martin’s promise to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour ahead of the state’s 2023 deadline. Connecticut’s minimum wage was raised to $11 an hour on Monday, October 1 and will increase by $1 each year to reach $15 an hour by 2023. Stamford’s minimum wage will reach $15 by 2021, officials say. This minimum wage increase will affect more than 450 city employees, nearly half of which previously made less than $12.50 an hour. In addition to boosting the wages of emp…

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by Valerie Musson
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes
Follow The Laws: New Minimum Wage, Gun Rules, Smoking Limits, Sex Abuse Statutes New sales taxes, minimum wage, safe gun storage rules and a 21-year-old minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products became law on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Prepared meals from restaurants, caterers and grocery stores are now taxed at 7.35 percent -- up from 6.35 percent. The 1 percent surcharge applies to supermarket catering services; sandwiches, grinders, coffee or tea sold for takeout; and food sold at a supermarket snack bar or food court. The Department of Revenue Services recently issued a memo that clarified the higher tax only applies to prepared foods already taxed at grocery stores,…

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by Jon Craig
Elizabeth, NJ
News
Workers At Elizabeth Car Wash Paid Below Minimum Wage, No OT Pay: Lawsuit Workers At Elizabeth Car Wash Paid Below Minimum Wage, No OT Pay: Lawsuit
Workers At Elizabeth Car Wash Paid Below Minimum Wage, No OT Pay: Lawsuit A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the workers at an Elizabeth car wash who were allegedly forced to work for significantly less than the minimum age and did not receive overtime pay despite working up to 70 hours a week or more. The state’s minimum wage was $8.60 an hour in 2018. Attorney Steven Arenson told WPIX 11 that workers at Caribbean Hand Car Wash would face retaliation if they complained about working conditions, including deportation. One of the longtime workers at the business, Carlos Pedronzo, was paid just $5 an hour and suffered two strokes on the job, incl…

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by Paul Milo
Massapequa, NY
Politics
America's Mayor? Bill de Blasio's 'Confrontational Energy' In Debate Draws Nationwide Attention America's Mayor? Bill de Blasio's 'Confrontational Energy' In Debate Draws Nationwide Attention
America's Mayor? Bill de Blasio's 'Confrontational Energy' In Debate Draws Nationwide Attention While Mayor Bill de Blasio came across as a pushy New Yorker to some presidential debate-watchers on Wednesday night, other national media observers were wowed by the Democrat. Related story: Vote Now: Who Won First Democratic Presidential Debate? According to this article in the Miami Herald -- where back-to-back debates are taking place -- de Blasio "brought a surprisingly confrontational energy to the crowded debate stage." Meanwhile, a senior correspondent for Slate noted in this column that the mayor entered the first debate "riding almost impossibly low expectation…

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by Jon Craig
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
State Legislators Also Tackled Minimum Wage, Family Leave, Legalizing Marijuana State Legislators Also Tackled Minimum Wage, Family Leave, Legalizing Marijuana
State Legislators Also Tackled Minimum Wage, Family Leave, Legalizing Marijuana This story has been updated. A higher minimum wage, getting high legally and paid family leave were some of the miscellaneous bills before the Connecticut General Assembly in the closing days of its 2019 session.  The first two bills were approved earlier this month, while legalizing marijuana was postponed another year, according to legislative leaders.  The marijuana legalization bill is projected to yield about 20 percent in taxes on legal pot. That's similar to Massachusetts, so legal cannabis in Connecticut would be at competitive prices to those over the border. The c…

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by Jon Craig
Fairfield, CT
Politics
CT House Of Representatives Pass Minimum Wage Bill After Marathon Debate CT House Of Representatives Pass Minimum Wage Bill After Marathon Debate
CT House Of Representatives Pass Minimum Wage Bill After Marathon Debate After debating for the better part of a full day, Connecticut lawmakers have passed legislation that will incrementally increase the state’s minimum wage until it reaches $15 an hour by 2023. For approximately 14 hours, beginning Wednesday night before being approved around noon on Thursday, May 9, members of the state’s House of Representatives debated the merits of the bill before passing it. If approved, Connecticut would be the seventh state in the country to take measures to phase in a $15 minimum wage, including New York and Massachusetts. The bill passed by an 85-59 vote and will adv…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant, NY
Police & Fire
Ocasio-Cortez Hits Back At Ivanka Trump 'As A Person Who Actually Worked' Ocasio-Cortez Hits Back At Ivanka Trump 'As A Person Who Actually Worked'
Ocasio-Cortez Hits Back At Ivanka Trump 'As A Person Who Actually Worked' Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is once again sparring with President Donald Trump’s family and administration. On Monday, in an interview released by Fox News, Ivanka Trump stated that she doesn’t believe the majority of people believe in Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal proposal that would purportedly guarantee jobs for every American. During the Fox News interview with Steve Hilton, Trump said, "I don’t think most Americans, in their heart, want to be given something. I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around this country over the last four years. People want to work for wh…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
News
Minimum Wage Clocks In At $8.85 In New Jersey -- But That Could Change Minimum Wage Clocks In At $8.85 In New Jersey -- But That Could Change
Minimum Wage Clocks In At $8.85 In New Jersey -- But That Could Change New Jersey is among the eight U.S. states that in 2019 will see an increase in minimum wage as a result of automatic adjustments for inflation. Minimum wage in the Garden State is clocking in at $8.85, up from $8.60, in 2019 -- despite Gov. Murphy's hopes of seeing a hike to $15. That could still happen, though. And if it does, New Jersey's minimum wage will match that of large New York City businesses. Basic minimum wage in New York is $11.10 but Big Apple businesses with 11 employees or more is up to $15. MurphyGov. Phil Murphy Employees who work year-round in 20 states will see thei…

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by Cecilia Levine