A lawmaker wants to give voters the final say on a minimum wage increase. Louisiana is one of 20 states in which the minimum wage aligns with the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since July of 2009. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.
“Even if they have two jobs, it’s not enough to actually be able to have a decent life,” Barrow said.
That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Barrow’s proposal would set Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, and it would task a state agency to adjust it annually based on the consumer price index. Barrow says too many people in Louisiana still make minimum wage.
“There are many folks who are saying their folks are not paying $7.25, but there are a lot of people who are paying $7.25 an hour,” Barrow noted.
This is by no means the first time someone has proposed an increase to the state’s minimum wage. In all previous attempts, business groups have pushed back, saying raising the minimum wage would lead to higher consumer prices and fewer jobs. Barrow says business owners she’s spoken to disagree with that notion.
“Each of them stated the importance of paying their workers a fair, livable wage. And so, they agreed that when you do that, that you actually see the value of that with your employees,” Barrow said.
Since this is a proposed constitutional amendment, it will require a two-thirds majority in both houses before it goes to the voters.