The biggest one is an increase in the minimum wage, from $6.75 an hour to $7.50. Next year, it'll go up to $8. In San Francisco, however, the minimum wage is set even higher, to $9.14 an hour. We've already seen the effect that increase has as one of our fave coffee shops just increased the price of their coffee. We're not sure if we like that.

Other new laws include laws about the environment (recycling plastic bags & hybrids allowed in carpool lanes), dogs (tethering), and safety (handsets on cell phones). Another big law concerns domestic partners. Basically, they can now file joint tax returns.

As we peruse the list of new laws, we did find some interesting laws out there. Like kitty liter having messages put on it reminding people where to dispose of it. Or CalTrans can continue putting signs that say "Please Don't Drink and Drive" on highways (was that an issue?). And this one is of utmost importance-- it is now doubly illegal to knowingly keep in anyone in the trunk of the car ("the Goodfellas" law). Finally, here's one we instantly took notice of-- bars can serve free samples of beer. So you know where we'll be tonight.

Here in SF, the new minimum wage isn't the only new law in effect. There is also the one allowing a certain amount of hours for sick time as well as the anti-styrofoam measure. Taking out Chinese food will never be the same.

Anyways, the LA Times has a good run-down of all the new laws so if you want to see what you can do and what you can't do, check them out.