It is the end of 2004. What will the New Year bring? Hopefully it will bring the long-awaiting report from the CBS investigation into Rathergate.
The turn of the calendar will bring minimum wage increases in Illinois (from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour), New York ($5.15 to $6.00), Oregon ($7.05 to $7.25), Vermont ($6.75 to $7.00), and Washington ($7.15 to $7.35). New York will be the latest addition to a group of 12 states where minimum wages surpass the federal level of $5.15.Florida will soon become No. 14 and Nevada may become No. 15 -- voters in those two states approved constitutional amendments on Nov. 2 setting the minimum wage at $6.15 per hour -- but workers there won't benefit for awhile.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the unemployment rates in these states. Small business owners have said that an increase in the minimum wage will hurt their businesses.
Kansas City infoZine - Minimum Wage Set to Rise in Five States - USA
Do you know the laws in your state? New Year's Day will bring changes to laws in many states. Here are some examples.
Teenagers in Alaska will now be subject to a three-tiered graduated driver's license system.
Homebuyers in Washington must be notified by the seller of where to find information about registered sex offenders in the jurisdiction in which they are purchasing a home.
It will be a misdemeanor in New Hampshire to knowingly host an underage alcohol or drug party.
New Hampshire residents will have civil recourse in holding drug dealers liable when a loved one suffers because of illegal drug use. The new law also allows the government to recoup costs incurred for drug treatment as well as medical costs incurred as a result of drug exposure to an infant in utero.
In an effort to curb identity theft, Illinois insurers are no longer allowed to print a consumer's social security number on their insurance cards.
Colorado voters approved Amendment 35 in November which would increase the state's tax on cigarettes by 64 cents effective January 1, 2005 ...
Higher education dormitories in Illinois will now be required to have sprinkler systems as of January 1, 2005 ...
Taking ownership or allowing the breeding of a big cat, bear, or monkey is unlawful in Minnesota after January 1, 2005. Exceptions for those licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are allowed.
Adult adoptees born in New Hampshire will be allowed to obtain a copy of their original birth certificates. Birth parents will be able to express their preference on contact with the adoptees by filing a form with the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Stateline.org Homepage
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has received gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars from friends and family. Like all high-ranking government officials Thomas released the list of gifts under a 1978 Federal ethics law.
Critics of gifts to any government official claim that gifts are only given to influence officials and, in this instance, to influence votes in the Supreme Court.
A Court spokesperson for Thomas declined to respond to written inquiries into the the source of the gifts. A former clerk for Justice Thomas defended the practice and noted that Thomas would recuse himself from any case involving a potential conflict of interest.
Justice Thomas is one of two current Justices being considered by the White House as a potential replacement for Chief Justice William Rehnquist if and when Chief Justice Rehnquist decides to retire. The issue of the gifts will certainly be fodder for liberal Democrats to oppose Thomas' nomination.
Justice Thomas Reports Wealth of Gifts
Poor Anna Nicole Smith. She lost all that weight and lives a lavish lifestyle. All that may be coming to an end.
A federal court threw out a judge's ruling giving the former Playmate if the Year $88 million dollars from her late husband's estate.
The former stripper married J. Howard Marshall, 90, and lived with him for one year before his death.
The family and Smith have been in numerous courts for year to determine the division of the estate. Marshall's son has contested a will making Smith the sole heir to the oilman's fortune.
Attorneys for Smith said they will appeal the decision. Could the case reach the Supreme Court? Unlikely, there are really no constitutional grounds.
USATODAY.com - Court throws out $88.5 million award to Anna Nicole Smith
More in the New Year.
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