A Senate bill to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour beginning in 2022 advances from Senate Labor 3 to 2. Bill author, New Orleans Senator Troy Carter said the top five occupations with the greatest number of workers earning less than $8.25 an hour are cashiers, waiters, food prep workers, home healthcare aides, and fast-food workers. Carter said these are all front-line workers.
“Next to police, fire, and healthcare, they were there. When we were forced to be home, many of them were still working and they were working at minimum wage. We wanted to stay home and be safe they couldn’t,” said Carter.
Speaking in opposition, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry VP of Governmental Relations Jim Patterson cited a study from American and Cornell Universities of states that increased their minimum wage from 2003 to 2007.
“And they found no associated reduction in poverty and in point of fact despite suggestions to the contrary the Congressional Budget Office did indicate that there will be those who lose their employment,” said Patterson.
Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson spoke in favor of raising the minimum wage because one in four children in the state face food insecurities.
“We ought to be ashamed that our children are going hungry because people think that families don’t need a livable wage,” said Nelson.
The bill is now expected to be heard in Senate Finance.
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