As the calendar turns to 2025, New York joins a growing list of states raising their minimum wage, aiming to reach $15 or more. This move marks a significant step in addressing economic disparities and adjusting to the rising cost of living.

New York's minimum wage increases 50 cents in January as part of a three-year rollout. Downstate, the wage increases to $16.50 and $15.50 elsewhere.

This is a win for workers and for businesses: indexing the minimum wage to inflation will help hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers...'

For most workers, the hourly wage is going up to $16.50 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County and $15.49 in the Garden State.

In Broome County, the unemployment rate sits at 3.6% as of January 3, 2025, lower than the long-term average of 5.67%. However, Executive Director at Broome-Tioga Workforce Robert Murphy says there's a bigger issue that the wage increase could possibly help out.

The start of the new year means new workplace-related laws, including another bump in the minimum wage, will take effect in the state.

New York and New Jersey raise their minimum wages to $16.50 and $15.49 respectively, in line with ongoing commitments to workers' welfare.

Medicare enrollees will now pay a maximum of $2,000 on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs annually as part of another provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. The limit applies to prescription drugs bought at pharmacies and through mail orders, which are covered through Medicare Part D.

How many states are seeing minimum wage increases? The federal minimum wage in the United States has stood at $7.25 per hour since 2009, according to the Associated Press. For tip

Here's which states are boosting their minimum wage in 2025. (Scripps News) Scripps News Scripps News. More Videos. Judge blocks release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on