Bernadette Hogan reports for New York State of Politics that several new state laws will take effect on New Year’s Day, including a rise in the minimum wage. That goes up to $16 an hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island on Jan. 1, and up to $15 an hour in the rest of the state. That will rise upstate to $15.50 next year, and to $16 in 2026. A few election laws are updated on Jan. 1, with more time for people to register ahead of an election and the state now allowing registration on the first day of early voting.