We are in the final stages of the 2013 Session and the activity is quite intense. The House has passed its budget bills and they are now in the conference committee process. It is important to remember that the Governor, the House and the Senate all put forward budget bills and it is in the conference committees where the compromise and consolidation of all three takes place. While the there may be differences of opinion, there is a lot of give and take, and we can learn a lot from one another simply by being willing to talk to those that disagree with us.
One other very important bill we passed last week was the Child Victims Act. Right now, people who were assaulted as children have until age 24 to file a claim in court. After the age of 24, you have absolutely no ability, under the law, to file a lawsuit against your abuser. Depression, substance abuse, and many other challenges are common amongst victims of this kind of abuse, and now those victims have a way to address some of that suffering because the Child Victims Act removes the age 24 restriction.
Last week, we also passed an increase in the state minimum wage. The current minimum is set at $6.15. The new wages will go up gradually over the next few years until they reach $9.50 in 2015 for large employers and $8.50 for small employers. The increase in wages not only helps workers; it will also help businesses and the state economy because consumers will be able to spend more money on food, clothes, and housing when they otherwise might be left to utilize state support programs.
As always, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sandra Masin