A little known law has come to our attention in the State of Vermont. If you employ someone that is 16 or 17 years of age and is still in high school you do not have to pay them state minimum wage. You do however, have to keep there rate of pay at least equal to that of the federal minimum wage. As of this moment the federal minimum wage rate is $6.55 an hour compared to the State of Vermont’s minimum wage of $8.06. As of July 1, 2009 the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 an hour. As soon as the minor graduates or leaves high school they automatically must have their wages increased to meet that of Vermonts minimum wage.

The State of New Hampshire has sent out a notice informing employers of the new UI tax increase schedule. Due to the high rate of unemployment in the state and the depleting general funds, the State of New Hampshire is increasing the UI tax rates by .5% across the board. Until the general fund reaches $225 million there will no longer be any tax reductions. There is a possibility that the upcoming quarters will result in more tax increases depending on the state of the general fund.