A minimum wage increase in 22 states goes into effect Monday, but Louisiana remains one of over a dozen states that is keeping the federal minimum wage of 7.25 an hour.
“The vast majority of the country at this point has figured out that the federal minimum wage of 7.25 an hour is absolutely inadequate but unfortunately that message hasn’t gotten through to the Louisiana Legislature,” said Jan Moeller, executive director of the Louisiana Budget Project.
Despite Governor John Bel Edwards’ best efforts, minimum wage in Louisiana has held steady at $7.25 since 2009.
Moeller says the minimum wage is still below an adequate living wage for a full-time worker in the Bayou State.
“Far too many of the jobs in Louisiana doesn’t pay the rate so we have still far too many families in Louisiana who are working really hard often at multiple jobs and they’re just not getting ahead because the wages in Louisiana are so low.”
Wages will increase in 22 states including Nevada, Oregon, and Florida. More than 15 states including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina will keep the federal minimum of 7.25 an hour.
Moeller says Louisiana continues to lose population as many search for higher wages. He says for the Bayou State to be more competitive, a higher minimum wage is needed.
“The most basic policy change that the state could make would be to establish minimum wage at least 10 or 12 dollars an hour.”
Governor-elect Jeff Landry says the state’s focus should be on bringing in good paying jobs, instead of raising the minimum wage.
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