Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (D-Syracuse) announced that new policies that help low-income and middle-class families will take effect as we ring in the New Year on Jan. 1. These measures, including paid family leave and a higher minimum wage, are designed to help families, strengthen our communities and spark growth within the local economy.

“These new laws will go a long way in lifting up and improving the lives of Central New York families,” Hunter said. “They provide more financial security for families with new children or sick relatives and help create a pathway to the middle class by boosting wages.”

The state’s paid family leave program takes effect in 2018. It will help ensure financial security for families with a new child, a sick relative or a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner who is deployed on military service. Starting Jan. 1, eligible workers can take up to eight weeks of job-protected paid leave a year, either all at once or in increments, and receive up to 50 percent of their average weekly wage or 50 percent of the New York average weekly wage, whichever is lower.

Family leave benefits will continue to grow through 2021. In 2019, workers can take up to 10 weeks of leave at 55 percent of their average weekly wage or up to 55 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, then 60 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage up to 60 percent of the statewide average weekly wage in 2020. By 2021, it will rise to 12 weeks at 67 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage up to 67 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. The benefits are funded through a small weekly employee contribution. For more information, visit NY.gov/Paidfamilyleave.

In addition, the minimum wage in Central New York will increase to $10.40 on Dec. 31. It will increase by another $0.70 each year until it reaches $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020. The minimum wage will then potentially be increased to $15 according to an indexed schedule set by the state Division of Budget and the Department of Labor. For tipped workers, the budget pegs their wage at two-thirds of the minimum wage rounded either to the nearest five cents or to $7.50, whichever is higher.

“Each and every New Yorker deserves a fair shot at the American Dream,” Hunter said. “That’s why I fought so hard to pass these laws, which will combat inequality, put families first and lift people out of poverty right here in Central New York.”