Louisiana’s Minimum Wage Debate Heats Up with New Proposal

Another big fight is on in Louisiana over minimum wage. One state lawmakers is again pushing a bill to increase the wage in the state. But this time, Representative Delisha Boyd of New Orleans is proposing a gradual increase rather than an immediate jump to $14.00 an hour.

READ MORE: How Much Do You Need to Make to Survive in Shreveport?

The state has tracked the federal minimum wage which is at $7.25 an hour. It has been at that rate since July 24, 2009

More than 30 other states have already boosted the minimum wage.

But this bill (HB 209) calls for a phased-in change.

The bill, authored by Representative Delisha Boyd, isn't just a one-time jump; it’s a staggered "ladder" designed to let the economy adjust over four years.

Effective Date Proposed Minimum Wage

January 1, 2027 $10.00
January 1, 2029 $12.00
January 1, 2031 $14.00

What Would the Enforcement Call for?

This measure does have some teeth. It would give workers a "civil right of action", meaning they can sue employers directly for damages if they aren't paid the legal minimum rate.

Clerks of court would also have to submit details on these cases in monthly reports to the state.

The first stop for this bill during the spring legislative session is the House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. This could be a pretty big hurdle for the bill. The committee has 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats.

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Four Shreveport area reps serve on this committee:

Raymond Crews chairs the committee which also includes Dodie Horton, Michael Melerine and Tammy Phelps.

Crews tells KEEL News this bill is most likely "dead on arrival" in his committee. He says "the people it proposes to help are exactly the people such a law hurts the most."