Bills on minimum wage, LGBT non-discrimination move to full state Senate for consideration – bestofneworleans.com

Senate Bill 153, which was approved for full Senate debate on a 4-2 vote, would increase the states minimum wage from the federal minimum hourly wage of $7.25 to $8 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2018, and $8.50 beginning Jan. 1, 2019.

Senate Bill 155 carried 3-1, with committee chairman Neil Riser opposing. It would enact the Louisiana Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would add language to existing law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

Carter said the minimum wage has not been increased since 2009, though the cost of goods has continued to rise some by as much as 35 percent.

In a statement, Gov. John Bel Edwards expressed his support for the measure: If we say that family values are critical to our way of life here in Louisiana, its time to start valuing the hardworking families who contribute a great deal to our communities.

State Sen. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, said he wished more legislators had the cojones to pass the minimum wage bill, which he said takes a wrong turn every session it is brought up. The vast majority of individuals who live here know that this is the right thing to do, Bishop said, citing a Louisiana Budget Project survey that found 70 percent of Louisianans support a higher state minimum wage. (Louisiana is one of five states that has no minimum wage law, instead following federal guidelines.)

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We have a crisis in Louisiana a crisis of systemic poverty, said former Rep. Melissa Flournoy, who chairs Louisiana Progress Action and spoke in support of the bill.

While Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, lamented that moving from $7.25 to $8 really just isnt enough, Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Bossier City, fumed at a bill supporter who attacked Walmart for not providing its employees a living wage. I cant believe you would single out a corporate company that is very generous, Peacock said, arguing Walmart is the biggest contributor to the Louisiana Food Bank. Peacock voted against a favorable send to the Senate floor.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry head Jim Patterson argued the minimum wage is an entry-level starting wage and is not intended to be a living wage.

Similarly, Dawn Starns of the National Federation of Independent Businesses said it is never a good time to increase the cost of doing business, which she said is what the minimum wage increase implies.

In his closing, Carter chided opponents who said his legislation might cripple the American system of free-market capitalism. Our American system was to build our country on free labor, Carter said. We dont call it slavery anymore, but we might as well.

Senate Bill 155 was a much quicker debate, with Dylan Waguespack from Louisiana Trans Advocates testifying on behalf of the proposed act. Waguespack, who is transgender and works in the Capitol, said he had to decide whether he should come out to the lawmakers he saw on a regular basis.

Nobody should have to leave in fear of being fired because of who they love or who they are, said Sarah Jane Guidry, director of the Forum for Equality.

Speaking in opposition, Will Hall argued Carters bill did not fit existing law because the U.S. Supreme Court determined sexual orientation was an immutable characteristic.

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Bills on minimum wage, LGBT non-discrimination move to full state Senate for consideration - bestofneworleans.com