New state minimum wage, prenatal leave laws in effect

With the start of 2025, some new policies have gone into effect for New Yorkers, as recently announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Wages have been impacted. Workers in New York State earning the minimum wage will now see a jump in their paychecks of $0.50 per hour, bringing the hourly total to $15.50. The only exceptions are residents of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, who continue to earn a dollar more per hour than their counterparts in the rest of the state. Their minimum wage is jumping to $16.50 per hour.

The paid prenatal leave law is now in effect. The law, which is the first in the nation, enables any privately employed pregnant New York resident to take up to 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal care for a range of services including but not limited to physical examinations, fertility treatment, medical procedures and end of pregnancy care. The paid prenatal leave law is in addition to the New York State Paid Family Leave, existing employer-paid leaves and existing sick leave requirements. The law is applicable to both part-time and full-time employees, and applies to all private employers in the state.

Diabetics in New York may see some financial relief with an initiative which eliminates insulin co-pays on state-regulated health insurance plans. This plan is estimated to come with an annual savings of up to $1,200 for those who qualify.

With rising costs impacting New Yorkers on multiple levels, the governor is seeking to address some everyday fiscal concerns with the new legislation in place. “The cost of living is just too damn high so I’m doing everything in my power to make New York more affordable for families,” Hochul said.

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Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

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Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

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Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

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Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

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