OLYMPIA, Wash. – There’s a new minimum wage in Washington State.
The Department of Labor and Industries says the minimum wage increased statewide from $13.69 to $14.49 an hour on January 1st, 2022.
The new minimum wage applies to all employees over the age of 16.
L&I made the adjustment based on cost-of-living increases from the federal Consumer Price Index.
But there are some exemptions to the law.
A number of other new laws are also going into effect this year.
A new seven percent tax on capital gains over $250,000 starts this year, but it won’t be officially collected until 2023.
The new long-term care tax that was set to go into effect was delayed by Governor Inslee while lawmakers make changes to that law.
Former felons now have the right to vote in Washington State as soon as they complete their prison term.
Previously, felons had to complete their probation and pay off all court fees before regaining their right to vote.
If you order food to go in Washington State , you’ll have to specifically request single-use plastic utensils and condiments, because restaurants are now prohibited from handing them out without being asked.
And the new year also brings a ban on Native American names, images and symbols at schools across Washington.
But that ban does not apply to on tribal land or for schools located next to Native American lands, as long as the nearest tribe authorizes use of the name.