Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Minimum Wage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee rejects proposal to raise Louisiana minimum wage to $14 by 2029
Summary
A proposal to phase the state minimum wage to $10 in 2026, $12 in 2027 and $14 in 2029 failed in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee after debate and opposing testimony from business groups.
A Senate committee voted on May 14 not to report Senate Bill 206, a measure that would set a state minimum wage at $10 an hour in 2026, $12 in 2027 and $14 in 2029.
The bill’s author, Senator Joe Carter, told the committee the staggered increases would lift many Louisianans out of poverty and reduce reliance on state benefits: “If we increase the minimum wage for the workers of this state, that’s a better state, that’s a healthier state, that’s stronger families,” Carter said during his presentation.
Proponents included Tyrone Walker, vice president of the Urban League of Louisiana, who said raising the minimum wage would “lift about a hundred thousand Louisiana individuals out of poverty” and strengthen businesses by increasing consumer purchasing power. Tom Costanza, representing the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, framed the change as consistent with Catholic social teaching on a just wage.
Business groups strongly opposed the measure. Leah Long, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business–Louisiana, read comments from small-business owners warning that mandated increases would force cuts in hours, slow hiring and push prices higher. Patrick Robinson of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry argued higher mandated wages would lead employers to reduce staff or relocate investment.
Committee members questioned economic impacts and the fiscal effect on state payrolls. Senator Carter acknowledged a fiscal note exists because state employees and retirees who returned to work would receive raises under the bill.
Senator Barrow moved to report the bill as amended. Senator Presley objected and the committee held a roll call. The committee recorded the motion as failed; the chair announced the result as "not reported" (final tally reported in the hearing: 5 nays, 2 yeas).
Discussion vs. decision: the record shows extensive policy discussion and testimony from advocacy groups and business groups; the committee took a formal vote and did not advance SB 206.
Context: Supporters pointed to recent minimum-wage changes in other states and growing cost-of-living pressures in Louisiana. Opponents cited potential costs to small businesses and the risk of reduced hiring.
What’s next: Because the committee did not report the bill, SB 206 will not advance from this committee at this time.
