Many say Louisiana’s minimum wage is not a living wage. It’s a complex and controversial topic.
Louisiana’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour pays a worker $58 dollars for eight hours of work. That’s before any deductions from the check.
Some are passionate about increasing the wage, while others say it will cause more harm than good.
Four bills that might have increased it with final approval did not make it out of committee:
House lawmakers on the House Labor and Industrial relations committee had a long day as they listened to the pros and cons of raising Louisiana’s minimum wage of $7.25.
There were various proposals. One would just increase it for state workers. While another would let voters decide if we need a State Constitutional Amendment establishing a minimum wage.
Many who testified for an increase said so many people, especially single moms, struggle.
House lawmakers on the labor and industrial relations committee listened to the pros and cons of raising Louisiana’s minimum wage.
“We must invest in these workers earning less than a living wage. We must establish a Louisiana minimum wage for the survival of our citizens,” Natalie Pruitt with United Way said.
Rep. Malinda White discussed her bill that would have raised it at least for state employees:
“No one can survive on the current minimum wage of $7.25. By not doing this for public sector workers we’re saying that the people who work for the State of Louisiana don’t deserve to live a dignified life,” she said.
Those who oppose raising the minimum wage argue it will hurt businesses.
https://www.kplctv.com/2022/04/29/legislative-committee-hears-debate-raising-louisiana-minimum-wage/