Louisiana lawmakers reject minimum wage raise and protections for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Measures failed in a House committe Thursday that would have gradually increased Louisiana’s $7.25 an hour minimum wage and make discriminating against LGBTQ people in the workforce illegal.
The outcome of the two bills was unsurprising, after similar legislation succumbed in recent years to the same fate. Proponents were disheartened, maintaining that the measures would have improved life for some in the state.
Louisiana is one of five states that technically has not adopted a minimum wage and as such the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies. Among the bills Thursday was a proposal to gradually increase minimum wage to $12 an hour in 2026. A similar bill proposed setting the minimum wage at $14 per hour beginning in 2029.
Proponents argue that boosting the minimum wage for the first time in 15 years would make Louisiana more competitive with other states. They also said it would improve the economy with more money available to be spent while improving the overall lives of many residents who struggle to buy necessities on slim paychecks, especially as the cost of living has risen over the last decade and a half.
Related articles
Testimony at Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial focuses on his wife's New Jersey home
NEW YORK (AP) — A New Jersey businessman rescued the home of Sen. Bob Menendez’s wife from foreclosu2024-05-22German police arrest a Russian man in connection with the fatal stabbings of 2 Ukrainian men
BERLIN (AP) — Two Ukrainian men were stabbed to death in southern Germany, police said Sunday, and a2024-05-22Twins pound out 17 hits, claim their seventh straight win with an 11
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Austin Martin and Alex Kiriloff drove in two runs apiece, and the Minnesota T2024-05-22Nuggets, Thunder have chances to move into Round 2, and Boston seeks 3
Denver is one win from returning to Round 2. And Oklahoma City is a win away from getting there for2024-05-22- NEW YORK (AP) — Ty France hit a go-ahead RBI single in Seattle’s four-run ninth inning against relie2024-05-22
Stars breathe new life into series with the Golden Knights entering Game 4
LAS VEGAS (AP) — An NBA adage is a playoff series doesn’t genuinely begin until a home team loses.Th2024-05-22
atest comment