On December 31, 2020, the state’s minimum wage increased to $12.50 an hour in Putnam County. As well as beginning January 1, 2021 employees will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave Employees who use paid family leave will be able to receive 67% of their weekly earnings- up to $971.61 a week to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. This time can be taken all at once, or in increments of full days.
For more information on the Paid Family Leave Act go to https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/2021. The Putnam County Business Council will also be providing more education on these new laws and its impact on the business community.
Then, of course, there are Toll increases. With the exception of the Mario Cuomo Bridge, EZPass rates will be frozen as of January 1, 2021. Travelers with an EZPass from out of state will pay 15% more than current NY residents with EZPass. Travelers who choose tolls by mail will pay 30% more than NY EZPass customers. This does protect NY’ers from any more ridiculous toll hikes. This may also prevent some tourism.
There are some other laws that will impact businesses as well but mean well for public safety such as Stretch limousines altered on or after January 1, 2021, will have to have at least two safety belts in the front seat and a safety belt in the rear for each passenger. Beginning February 9, 2021 the state is eliminating auto renewal of service contracts. Those companies must notify customers at least 15 days in advance before auto-renewing service contracts.
The New York Legislature also enacted an eviction ban for tenants living in the state, giving residents at least until May before an eviction can take place. According to NPR “The law places a moratorium on residential evictions until May 1 for tenants who endured a "COVID-related hardship." Tenants must show documentation explaining their situation to prevent evictions. Landlords can still evict people who don't show that documentation. The law also stops residential foreclosure proceedings until May 1. Homeowners and landlords who own 10 or fewer residences can also file hardship declarations with their mortgage lender or a court to prevent a foreclosure.”
So Where does that leave commercial or large Residential Landlords and tenants? In yet another extension of the executive order issued Dec. 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended New York’s ban on commercial evictions and foreclosures through Jan. 31, 2021. This order can only be extended 30 days at a time unless the legislators change the law. These restrictions apply to foreclosures and evictions due to non-payment. Commercial evictions initiated before March 17 of 2020 or that are not as a result of the Pandemic causing hardship can proceed. However, NY State Courts are back to limited appearances.
With hope around the corner there is still so much uncertainty and difficulty to navigate.The Putnam County Business Council plans to be there alongside all of Putnam County’s businesses to provide opportunity, support and connections. Please check the Putnam Business Council website for the latest news impacting businesses. https://putnamcountybusinesscouncil.com/ B
Submitted by Brewster, NY
