For hundred of thousands of minimum-wage workers around the country, the new year brings a raise. And musicians worried about copycats will get some protection in Illinois.
January 1 brings new laws in many states, offering both a glimpse of what is on the voters' minds and a preview of some of the issues Washington might take up. Many states take action long before Congress does.
Seven states - Arizona, California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania - are raising their minimum wage. The Federal minimum is $5.15 an hour. The new wages go as high as $7.50 an hour. In California it will jump from $6.75 to $7.50.
"We've have made Massachusetts the best state to live in for struggling working families," said Carl Milsson, an activist for poor people, citing the higher minimum wage and a state law that requires health care insurance for all.
In Illinois, copycat musical groups who misreprersent themselves as the original artists will face fines of up to $50,000. The new law requires live acts to make it clear in their advertising that they are a salute or a tribute to the real thing.
"From now on, when the public goes to a rock 'n roll show in the area, they can be sure the artist is the original, and not some rip-off band," said Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Suporters are pushing for similar laws in every state.
States also deal with immigration (nurses from other countries must have English language proficiency to practice in South Carolina), eminent domain (Illinois requires local governments to pay more and meet a higher legal threshold before seizing private property), and campain finance (North Carolina and Pennsyvalia set stricter rules).
Alaska will provide school systems with training to help prevent bullying; South Carolina will require districts to adopt policies barring harassment, intimidation or bullying.