Hundreds of thousands of jobs could disappear.
How Would a $15 Minimum Wage Impact Louisiana?
While Gov. Edwards’ proposal to
increase the state’s minimum wage failed this year, the issue isn’t going away
anytime soon, in Louisiana or nationwide.
There are numerous Fight for $15
battles in various states and cities across the country, and there is also a
national effort to raise the federal minimum wage. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bill,
the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act, would increase the federal wage base
incrementally to $15 per hour over the next four years.
Just how much would a $15 minimum
wage affect Louisiana’s economy? The numbers are staggering. According to a
recent Heritage Foundation report, if a $15 per hour
state minimum wage were implemented, 214,000 jobs could be lost by 2021. The
wage hike would apply to 45.3 percent of wage and salary workers in Louisiana, and
employers would be forced to cut hours, cut staff, or close the business.
With Louisiana small businesses
already focused on staying in business during a state recession—not to mention
recovering from historic flooding—a disastrous labor mandate like a $15
starting wage is the last thing they need.
