By Pepper Fisher
OLYMPIA — Several new laws are going into effect in Washington state starting on Saturday, January 1.
Beginning Saturday, food service businesses will only be allowed to provide single-use utensils, straws, those little condiment packets, and beverage cup lids if customers ask for them. The law is aimed at reducing single-use product waste. The get-around is that utensils, straws, condiments and cup lids may be made available to customers using bins, dispensers or other self-service options.
Also on Saturday, Washington state’s minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to $14.49 an hour. The state minimum wage applies to workers aged 16 and older. Under state law, employers can pay 85% of the minimum wage to workers ages 14-15, according to L&I.
A 7% tax on capital gains, including the sale of stocks, bonds and other high-end assets in excess of $250,000 will go into effect on Jan. 1 as well. The tax is expected to bring in $415 million in 2023, which is the first year the state would see money from the tax.
Also in the new year, public schools in Washington cannot use Native American names or images as school mascots or team names. Washington schools with Native American mascots were required to pick a new mascot, logo or team name by Dec. 31. The changes take effect during the 2021-2022 school year. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is providing grants for schools to help pay for the cost of changing old mascots. At least 38 schools have reported that they would need funding for the changes.
The right to vote will be automatically restored to those with felonies as soon as they are released from prison. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, a Bremerton Democrat who herself was incarcerated before going to law school and being elected to the Washington Legislature last fall.
More than 20,000 people stand to regain their voting rights when the law takes effect.