Louisiana Voice | April 13, 2026
“2009. That’s when the minimum wage was last raised to $7.25 per hour. As of January, 30 states have minimum wages that exceed $7.25. That means 20 states still pay $7.25 per hour minimum wage after it was first set at that rate 17 years ago. Louisiana is one of those 20 and apparently, will remain so for at least another year after the House Labor and Industrial Relations committee defeated HB 353 by State Rep. Tammy Phelps (D-Shreveport).
The committee voted along party lines as seven Republicans voted not to report the bill favorably while five Democrats voted in favor of raising the minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2027 and $15 per hour by 2029.
And keep in mind just since March 1, gasoline has increased 21 percent on average while the cost of housing, groceries, clothing, health care, goods and services, travel and other living expenses, have risen as well. And a person is supposed to survive on $7.25 an hour.”