Many controversial Pennsylvania laws remain unchanged as New Year begins

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A New Year often means new laws. But, some laws haven’t changed, despite the best efforts of their proponents.

There are at least as many controversial laws that haven’t changed in Pennsylvania as those that have.

Minimum wage remains the same as the federal minimum wage, which stands at $7.25 an hour. Pennsylvania is one of 20 states where the federal minimum wage still prevails.

All of Pennsylvania’s neighbors have raised theirs, with New York, New Jersey, and Maryland all have minimum wages of more than $15 an hour.

Recreational marijuana remains illegal in the Keystone State, as in about half of all states in the union.

Skill games remain in their status quo, untaxed by the Commonwealth.

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Pennsylvania also remains the only state in the nation where local law enforcement cannot use radar for speed enforcement. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can use radar.

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