U.S. NEWS
New Year, New Laws
A bunch (like… thousands) of new state laws went into effect January 1st, from the contentious to the mundane.
Here are just a few:
- Florida banned children under 14 from social media (and required parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds).
- California closed a loophole that made car burglary difficult to prosecute.
- Iowa and Louisiana adopted a flat income tax rate, joining 12 other states.
- New York mandated companies offer 20 hours of paid prenatal leave.
- Minnesota required transparent all-in pricing for concert tickets (looking at you, Ticketmaster).
- Illinois made canceling gym memberships easier (just in time to bail on that NYR).
- Colorado now requires all eggs to be cage-free.
Some of the most common new laws were increasing the state minimum wage and expanding or reducing gun regulation.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Whether we agree or disagree with laws passed in our state, we can be thankful we have the opportunity to vote to elect people and effect change. Take a moment to pray for those in countries where they don’t enjoy such freedom. Pray that God would move in power to care for victims of injustice.
“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (CSB) (read full passage)