NFIB to Testify Thursday on Minimum Wage Bills
NFIB State Director Dawn McVea will go before the House Labor Committee on Thursday to speak out against legislation that would establish a state minimum wage above the federal rate of $7.25 an hour.
“Our members believe the market has already settled this debate,” McVea said. “Most small businesses in Louisiana already are paying more, and many are offering twice the federal rate and still can’t find enough people to work.” According to the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, 47% of owners nationwide had openings they couldn’t fill.
“Small business owners have had a rough couple of years starting with the pandemic and continuing this spring with soaring inflation, breaks in the supply chain, and a labor shortage that has forced many businesses to limit services and reduce hours,” McVea said. “Any legislation that drives labor costs even higher will put even more pressure on employers to scale back and even eliminate jobs.
“Our members believe that establishing a state minimum wage is more about scoring political points than it is about creating sound fiscal policy,” McVea said. “If the Legislature wants to make things better for working families, it will focus on creating an environment where businesses can grow and create jobs instead of dictating wages.”
