State of Louisiana Archives: on Jobs
Antoine Pierce:
Raise the minimum wage
Top Policy Priorities: - Raise the minimum wage
- Support tax cuts for the poor and middle class
- Repeal Right to Work
- Preserve Unions
Source: 2020 Louisiana Senate campaign website AntoinePierce.com
Feb 4, 2020
Antoine Pierce:
Repeal Right to Work
Top Policy Priorities: - Repeal Right to Work
- Preserve Unions
- Raise the minimum wage
- Support tax cuts for the poor and middle class
Source: 2020 Louisiana Senate campaign website AntoinePierce.com
Feb 4, 2020
Antoine Pierce:
Higher minimum wage; strengthen unions
Pierce supports a higher minimum wage, in strengthening, rather than weakening labor unions, continuing criminal justice reform, and expanding pre-K access across Louisiana. He aims to ensure that every person in the state--
from the rural farmer to the inner-city single parent has access to healthcare. Pierce also wants to preserve individual freedoms, such as a woman's right to choose, and an adult's ability to use cannabis.
Source: Big Easy Magazine on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 4, 2020
Bobby Jindal:
Equal Pay for Women, but only for state employees
Legislative Summary: SB153: Creates the Equal Pay for Women Act.Analysis by National Women's Law Center: The Act resembles the federal Equal Pay Act.
It bans discriminatory pay based on sex, with exceptions for differences bases on seniority systems, merit systems, and systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production.
Unfortunately, although the original bill covered all employers with 15 or more employees, the final bill that was enacted applies only to state employees.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 86-12-7, Vote #795 on Jun/3/13; Passed Senate 35-2-2, Vote #963 on Jun/4/13; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/18/13
Source: NWLC on Louisiana legislative voting records SB153
Jun 18, 2013
Eddie Rispone:
Raising minimum wage would hurt economy, contract jobs
On setting a minimum wage in Louisiana higher than the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour:
Rispone: No. Rispone believes raising the minimum wage in Louisiana would hurt the economy and contract jobs.
Source: The News-Star on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 8, 2019
Eddie Rispone:
Lawsuit abuse is killing jobs because of insurance costs
A major issue he's also focused on is trial lawyers and automobile insurance. "Completely being ignored until now. Did you hear anything about that? I'm going to make that so public that we're going to fix it. Then we're going to go after this lawsuit
abuse. It's killing jobs in the logging industry, in the heavy hauling industry and the farmers. They're paying incredible amounts," said Rispone.
Source: KLFY News on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 18, 2019
Foster Campbell:
Raise the federal minimum wage
Q: Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
Foster Campbell: Yes
Source: iSideWith.com Voter Guide on 2016 Louisiana Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
John Bel Edwards:
Close gender wage gap by ending corporate "pay secrecy"
I urge you to act on the wishes of an overwhelming majority of Louisianans by supporting equal pay and raising the minimum wage. Louisiana has the highest gender wage gap in the country with women making only 66 cents for every $1 a man makes. It's a
simple and unassailable idea--pay a woman, who has the same job and similar qualifications, the same you would pay a man. I'm the father of two daughters, and many of you are as well. Wouldn't you want your daughter treated fairly for her hard work.
Yes, it's a fairness issue, but it's also a family issue. When a mother goes to the grocery store to buy a gallon of milk, it doesn't cost 33 percent less because she is a woman.
The legislation I am proposing would help eliminate pay secrecy by prohibiting employers from taking actions against employees for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing their wages or another employee's wages.
Source: 2017 Louisiana State of the State address
Apr 10, 2017
John Bel Edwards:
Meaningful increase to the minimum wage
Let's truly put our citizens first by making a modest but meaningful increase to the minimum wage.Louisiana is one of only five states that have not adopted a state minimum wage. Forty percent of Louisiana working families do not
earn enough to cover basic monthly expenses. It's time--no, past time--for us to change that. What we're proposing is to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over a two year period. It's a simple change that will produce countless benefits.
Source: 2017 Louisiana State of the State address
Apr 10, 2017
John Bel Edwards:
Equal pay for women; enact minimum wage
Louisiana has the highest wage inequity in the entire country. Everyone in this room should be offended that a woman makes only 66 cents for every dollar a man makes. She doesn't get charged any less when she's buying groceries for her family,
and she shouldn't get paid any less when she's working the same job as a man every day. 91 percent of the people of Louisiana support the Louisiana Equal Pay Act.
Why? Simply because it's the right thing to do. The same goes for raising the minimum wage. 18 states raised their minimum wage at the beginning of 2018, and yet
Louisiana remains one of only 5 states not to have adopted a state minimum wage at all. Let's raise the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour over two years.
Source: 2018 Louisiana State of the State address
Mar 12, 2018
John Bel Edwards:
Equal Pay for Women, but only for state employees
Legislative Summary: SB153: Creates the Equal Pay for Women Act.Analysis by National Women's Law Center: The Act resembles the federal Equal Pay Act.
It bans discriminatory pay based on sex, with exceptions for differences bases on seniority systems, merit systems, and systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production.
Unfortunately, although the original bill covered all employers with 15 or more employees, the final bill that was enacted applies only to state employees.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 86-12-7, Vote #795 on Jun/3/13; State Rep. John Bel Edwards co-sponsored the bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 35-2-2, Vote #963 on Jun/4/13; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/18/13
Source: NWLC on Louisiana legislative voting records SB153
Jun 3, 2013
John Bel Edwards:
Pass a minimum wage bill, get it on my desk, I'll sign it
I am one of the overwhelming majority of Louisianans who want a meaningful increase to the minimum wage that will help workers support their families and enjoy a better quality of life. This year, instead of including a specific minimum wage bill in
my package, I am supporting any and all efforts to raise the minimum wage. So my message to the Legislature is simple: pass a bill. Get it on my desk. I'll sign it.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Louisiana legislature
Apr 12, 2021
John Bel Edwards:
13 year old minimum wage ($7.25) not fair nor acceptable
I can't leave this podium without again making a plea for you to raise the minimum wage. There is not a person in this room who can tell me with a straight face that $7.25, a minimum wage from 13 years ago, is fair or acceptable, especially given
current inflation. 21 other states have increased their minimum wage, including Arkansas and Florida. And yet, every year, efforts to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana, even modestly or gradually, fail. Our workers and families deserve better.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
Lance Harris:
Against Equal Pay for Women Act for state employees
Legislative Summary: SB153: Creates the Equal Pay for Women Act.Analysis by National Women's Law Center: The Act resembles the federal Equal Pay Act.
It bans discriminatory pay based on sex, with exceptions for differences bases on seniority systems, merit systems, and systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production.
Unfortunately, although the original bill covered all employers with 15 or more employees, the final bill that was enacted applies only to state employees.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 86-12-7, Vote #795 on Jun/3/13; State Rep. Lance Harris voted NO; Passed Senate 35-2-2, Vote #963 on Jun/4/13; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/18/13
Source: NWLC on Louisiana legislative voting records SB153
Jun 3, 2013
Luke Mixon:
Critical to guarantee right to join or form a union
We must create jobs, raise wages, and guarantee the right to join or form a union:It is critical that we guarantee the right to join or form a union in Louisiana. Senator Kennedy has consistently voted to protect big corporations and not
the hard-working people of Louisiana. In 2019, the AFL-CIO gave Kennedy a career grade of 8/100 for protecting Louisiana's middle class. It is our state leadership's duty to unapologetically fight for the hard-working people of Louisiana.
Source: 2022 Louisiana Senate campaign website LukeMixon.com
Jul 19, 2021
Ralph Abraham:
Women deserve equal pay
Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo and Dr. Ralph Abraham both agreed that women deserve equal pay and the Keystone Pipeline expansion bill needs to be passed.The candidates were also asked what their top priorities would be
if elected. "There are many," Abraham said. "Spending has to be curtailed. Borders have to be sealed. Military has to be shored up. We have to start finding jobs, and good jobs, for our people."
Source: The News-Star on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Nov 20, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
Increasing minimum wage hurts US economy
Minimum Wage: Raise the minimum wage?Abraham: No. Increasing Federal minimum wage would "cost the US economy tens of billions of dollars."
Bel Edwards: Yes. "Supports a modest but meaningful increase to Louisiana's minimum wage" from $7.25 to $9.00 an hour.
Eddie Rispone: No position found.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Guide to 2019 Louisiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Gary Chambers:
Supports the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act
With Louisiana's economy revolving around agriculture and energy, the workforces powering these industries have the right to collectively bargain for fair pay, safe work conditions and appropriate leave time. That is why Gary is a supporter of the
Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This critical piece of legislation significantly strengthens the ability of workers in the private sector to form unions and engage in collective bargaining for better working conditions and fair wages.
Source: 2022 Senate campaign website ChambersForLouisiana.com
Oct 12, 2022
Gary Chambers:
Raise minimum wage to $15/hour
Louisiana ranks 43rd in household income with many working multiple jobs just to get by. By adopting a $15/hour minimum wage, working families will have the opportunity to earn a living wage and through that, are afforded more economic freedom.
With this, they will be able to start businesses, pay off debt, buy homes and ultimately revitalize a stagnant economy.
Source: 2022 Senate campaign website ChambersForLouisiana.com
Oct 12, 2022
Luke Mixon:
Increase the minimum wage so people are fairly compensated
I believe in the dignity of work and a fair wage for an honest day's work. However, $7.25 is a poverty wage. There is no state in the country where you can support a family on $7.25 per hour. The federal minimum wage has not been raised since 2009.
Inflation has robbed workers of 17% of their wage's value over the last 13 years. I will work to increase the minimum wage to ensure that working people are fairly compensated for their work and that they can support a family.
Source: 2022 Louisiana Senate campaign website LukeMixon.com
Oct 12, 2022
John Bel Edwards:
I was freshman legislator last time minimum wage was raised
I am again calling for a minimum wage increase this session. It is embarrassing and frankly immoral that we have not raised our minimum wage - even more so now with inflation. More than 20 states raised their minimum wage on January 1 of this year.
You want to know what I was doing the last time Congress raised the minimum wage to its current $7.25 per hour, which is what Louisiana defaults to? I was sitting in that desk right back there as a freshman legislator.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Apr 10, 2023
Shawn Wilson:
Urged staying committed to diversity, equity, inclusion
Dr. Shawn Wilson remains committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI principles into the transportation sector and recently urged fellow state department of transportation leaders to stay committed to that vision as well.
As reflected in achievements made under his tenure as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2021-2022 president, Wilson called upon state DOTs to continue incorporating DEI principles into their organizations.
Source: AASHTO Journal on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 10, 2022
John Schroder:
Equal Pay for Women, but only for state employees
Legislative Summary:/b> SB153: Creates the Equal Pay for Women Act.Analysis by National Women's Law Center: The Act resembles the federal Equal Pay Act. It bans discriminatory pay based on sex, with exceptions for
differences bases on seniority systems, merit systems, and systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production. Unfortunately, although the original bill covered all employers with 15 or more employees, the final bill that was enacted
applies only to state employees.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 86-12-7, Vote #795 on Jun/3/13;
State Rep. John Schroder voted YES; Passed Senate 35-2-2, Vote #963 on Jun/4/13; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/18/13
Source: NWLC on Louisiana legislative voting records SB153
Jun 3, 2013
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026