PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Higher minimum wages and tighter checks on campaign finances are among new laws going into effect as 2016 begins.
Rhode Island’s minimum wage will increase by 60 cents per hour on Friday, from $9 to $9.60. Tipped workers will see an increase of 50 cents per hour, to $3.39, the first raise to tipped workers’ minimum wage in Rhode Island in 20 years.
The governor’s office has said about 51,000 Rhode Island workers will earn more.
More checks are being put into the campaign finance system, after former House Speaker Gordon Fox improperly used more than $100,000 in campaign funds.
Candidates must now keep campaign money in a separate bank account and file annual bank statements. Candidates with larger accounts won’t be allowed to act as their own treasurer.
