New Louisiana Senate Labor Committee Chairman Neil Riser says he will oppose any bill to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, which is a key priority on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ agenda.
Gannett Louisiana reports that any bill aimed at raising Louisiana’s minimum wage above the current federal minimum of $7.25 an hour would likely have to go through Riser’s Labor Committee. Although the committee chairman can’t kill a bill on his or her own, the chairman’s support of a bill is often considered critical.
But much will be determined by the makeup of other members of the committee. If the committee is stacked with those who would support an increase to minimum wage, Riser likely could not foil it.
Riser says he believes raising the state’s minimum wage above federal law could harm a fragile economy and job creation.
“The Louisiana economy is struggling,” Riser says. “I’ve not talked to any business owner who believes raising the minimum wage wouldn’t harm their business. Right now the federal law is in place. It should stand.”
Edwards, who has targeted an increase to $8.25 an hour, also supports legislation that would require equal pay for women, which would also likely come through Labor. Riser says he isn’t sure whether or not he could support such a bill.
“It depends on how it’s presented,” Riser says.
During his inauguration speech Monday, Edwards emphasized raising the minimum wage and passing an equal pay measure were two of his priorities.
“It’s unacceptable when hard-working parents” don’t earn enough to pay their bills, the governor says.
Edwards also said women in Louisiana earn 66 cents compared to men earning $1 for the same job. “That, too, is unacceptable,” he says.
