In 2025, 21 states will raise their minimum wages, with Washington leading the pack at $16.66 per hour. The increase, tied to inflation, aims to help workers keep up with rising living costs. Supporters of minimum wage hikes argue they reduce poverty and boost local economies by increasing consumer spending.
NPR reports, "Meanwhile the federal minimum wage of $7.25 has not increased in 15 years... Research shows that a full-time minimum wage worker earning $7.25 an hour makes just $20 more than the poverty guidelines for a single-person household." Critics, however, caution that higher wages could lead to job cuts or price increases as businesses adjust to higher labor costs.
As of 2025, all eggs sold in Colorado must come from cage-free facilities. This law reflects growing consumer demand for humane farming practices. Under the legislation, egg producers must provide hens with enough space to engage in natural behaviors such as perching, nesting, and stretching their wings. Supporters of the law argue it’s a step toward more ethical food production and aligns Colorado with other states that have adopted similar measures.
Opponents, however, claim it could increase egg prices for consumers, and others fear that small farms will be negatively affected. Luckily, the Colorado Department of Agriculture writes, "The enclosure requirements do not apply to farming operations with 3,000 or fewer egg-laying hens."
Many states, including Florida and South Carolina, have passed laws blocking access to popular explicit video sites for those under 18 years of age. According to The Independent, this legislation "typically requires visitors to provide state-approved identification, such as a passport or driving license." However, the top websites prefer to block the entire state rather than check every user's identification; in practice, these laws ban everyone in the state from accessing explicit material, including those over 18.
There are now 17 states with these restrictions, and they are primarily the result of Southern conservative think tanks. The laws haven't stopped people from finding loopholes, such as installing virtual private networks (VPNs) that bypass location-based restrictions. After Texas passed a similar law in March 2024, "searches for ‘Texas VPN’ increased by 1,750 per cent."
In a major shift, California has passed a law barring local governments from requiring voter identification at polling places. This legislation, effective in 2025, aims to expand voter access, particularly for groups who may find it difficult to obtain government-issued IDs, such as low-income residents and the elderly. Advocates of the new law argue it strengthens democratic participation by removing barriers to voting. However, critics claim it could open the door to voter fraud, though studies have not substantiated such concerns.
The law underscores California’s reputation as a leader in progressive voting rights policies, such as universal mail-in ballots and early voting. This change is likely to have nationwide implications, as it could reignite debates about balancing election security with accessibility. Whether this law becomes a model for other states or faces significant backlash remains to be seen.
Starting in 2025, Florida will ban children under 14 from having social media accounts. Despite Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoing a similar bill so parents would have the final decision, the law will take effect on January 1st. The law is designed to address growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety. Advocates argue that limiting access helps shield young kids from harmful content, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time.
To address the governor's concerns over personal liberty, USA Today reports, "Social media platforms will be required to terminate any accounts suspected of belonging to someone under 14. Account owners will have 90 days to dispute it. Anyone 14 or 15 years old whose accounts are targeted will have 90 days for a parent or guardian to provide consent."
A Louisiana judge blocked a bill that applies to all public K-12 schools and state-funded university classrooms requiring the "Ten Commandments to be displayed on a poster or framed document at least 11 inches by 14 inches (28 by 36 centimeters) where the text is the central focus and printed in a large, easily readable font.," according to AP News. Technically, blocking the bill means that schools do not have to enforce the law, but Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill points out the confusion the decision creates for school systems.
“The order itself creates confusion with regard to whether other school boards are subject to it,” Murrill said. “Legally, they’re not. But I think it’s plain intent was to create confusion.” Proponents argue it promotes moral values and reflects the state’s Christian heritage. Opponents, however, see it as a violation of the separation of church and state.
In 2025, New Hampshire will prohibit gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under the age of 18. The law has drawn praise from some conservative groups who argue it protects minors from making irreversible decisions about their bodies. Conversely, LGBTQ+ advocates and medical professionals criticize the law, stating it undermines necessary care for transgender youth, the majority of which doesn't involve surgery. Gender-affirming surgeries for minors are already rare and require extensive medical and psychological evaluations.
This law reflects broader debates across the U.S. about transgender rights and medical autonomy. The legislation also raises concerns about how the state might enforce the ban and whether it could lead to lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality.
In a win for affordable healthcare, Oregon will cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for residents on the Oregon Health Plan starting in 2025. This law mirrors a nationwide push to lower the financial burden of life-saving medications. Diabetes advocates have hailed the move as a critical step toward making insulin accessible to all who need it. With insulin prices historically soaring, many patients have struggled to afford their medication, leading to severe health consequences.
The law specifically benefits low-income individuals and families who rely on Oregon’s Medicaid program. While it’s a major step forward, critics point out that it doesn’t apply to private insurance holders, leaving some residents without relief. This law may serve as a model for other states considering similar measures.
Beginning in July 2025, anyone applying for a concealed carry permit in Colorado "must demonstrate competence with a handgun," which could include an eight-hour training course. This new law is designed to enhance public safety by ensuring that gun owners have a solid understanding of firearm handling, storage, and usage laws. The training will cover topics such as conflict de-escalation, safe firearm handling, and state-specific gun laws. Supporters of the law argue that the additional education will help reduce accidental shootings and misuse of firearms.
The Colorado General Assembly writes, "A student must achieve a passing score on a written concealed handgun competency exam and in a live-fire exercise to complete an initial concealed handgun training class. An initial concealed handgun training class must provide at least 8 hours of instruction, including the live-fire exercise and written exam." This score will be valid for 10 years.
Starting in 2025, Texans driving noncommercial vehicles will no longer need to pass an annual safety inspection. The new law is expected to save drivers time and money, as they’ll no longer have to pay the inspection fee. Supporters argue this change reduces bureaucratic red tape and that modern cars are safer and less likely to need frequent checks. However, critics worry it could lead to more unsafe vehicles on the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
While safety inspections are being eliminated, drivers must still ensure their vehicles meet emission standards in certain counties. This move aligns Texas with several other states that have already eliminated mandatory safety inspections, sparking continued debate about the balance between public safety and personal convenience.
California has passed a law prohibiting employers from requiring workers to attend meetings focused on political or religious topics, including discussions about union organizing. Effective January 2025, this legislation aims to protect employees from coercive practices and create a more neutral workplace environment. Supporters of the law say it ensures workers have the freedom to make their own decisions without fear of retaliation.
The laws include expanding protections against unlawful discrimination and allowing employers to obtain temporary restraining orders (TROs) against individuals who subject employees to unreasonable harassment. However, critics argue it limits employers’ ability to communicate important information to their staff. The law applies to both private and public workplaces, and violations could result in legal penalties.
