New Orleans Rep Delisha Boyd (D)
A state representative from New Orleans is trying again to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana. Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to $15 an hour, but that failed. This time, she’s trying a different approach.
“I’m requesting a gradual increase. So in 2027, it would be to $10, 2029 to $12, 2031 to $14 an hour,” Boyd explained.
Boyd points out that currently, Louisiana’s minimum wage follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has gone unchanged since July of 2009.
“The cost of living, inflation; it is well overdue time that we consider raising the minimum wage,” Boyd said.
Boyd says with no increases to the minimum wage in almost 17 years, some people can no longer afford to live in the state, especially in her New Orleans district.
“New Orleans, for example. We have lost three to five thousand people every year since 2020. Young professionals just can’t afford to be here,” Boyd noted.
Republicans and pro-business lobbyist groups have been successful in defeating minimum wage hike proposals in previous years. They argue a higher minimum wage will result in job losses and higher costs for consumers.
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