State Sen. Regina Barrow has filed legislation that would allow voters to create a livable wage in Louisiana. Senate Bill 230 would place a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot, which, if approved, would require businesses to pay their workers at least $10.25 per hour. The wage would be indexed annually for inflation. Keymonte Avery of Louisiana First News reports on the legislation and who would be exempt:

  • Employees under 16 and small business employees would receive the federal minimum wage
  • Employers can pay less if tips plus wages equate to the livable wage
  • Family-run businesses can exclude family members
  • Individuals with certain disabilities could earn lower wages

State Reps. Delisha Boyd and Tammy Phelps have also filed legislation that aims to establish a state minimum wage. 


Preferential tax treatment for college athletes

The Mississippi House of Representatives advanced legislation this week that would exempt earnings college athletes receive through name, image and likeness (NIL) deals from the state income tax. Teachers, first responders and others would still be required to pay Mississippi’s income tax under House Bill 4014. The Washington Post’s editorial board explains why states shouldn’t pick winners and losers in their tax codes:

As a general principle, a simpler tax code is fairer. Complexifying the tax system with special loopholes that benefit politically connected interest groups is unfair to everyone else. It tilts the playing field and distorts incentives, undermining the free market. Consider the many nonathletes at Ole Miss who also work jobs during school. Their earnings are subject to taxation. A star quarterback and the students working for the on-campus gym where he trains are equally deserving of a lower tax burden.

Louisiana Rep. Dixon McMakin proposed a similar bill during last year’s legislative session, but it failed to gain traction. 


Providing free breakfast in schools

State Rep. Kyle Green has filed a bill that aims to provide free breakfast at all public schools in Louisiana. WAFB’s Alexis Marigny reports on Green’s effort and the potential costs:

“This is a comprehensive approach to ensure that all children, at a minimum, get free breakfast,” Green said. “We need to ensure that at a bare minimum [children] get a decent breakfast.” … The cost of providing meals could range from ten to twelve million dollars annually, and Green says the money would come from the state department of education, but Gov. Jeff Landry’s team has proposed a standstill budget, making it unclear at this time if free breakfast is a priority.

Nearly 18% of Louisiana households experienced food insecurity from 2022-2024, the third-highest rate in the nation.


Landry pushes private school subsidies

Gov. Jeff Landry is continuing to press state Senate President Cameron Henry to support his goal of expanding the state’s private school voucher program. The governor’s push came at an economic development press conference on Tuesday. The Louisiana Illuminator’s Julie O’Donoghue reports: 

Henry has questioned whether Louisiana would be able to afford the new version of the vouchers as the program grows. If fully funded, LA GATOR would eventually allow all families, including those who are wealthy, to apply for public assistance to cover their children’s private school bills. … “If you look at previous programs, wherever they may be, in the state, whatever department, very rarely do you double something after the first year,” Henry said during Tuesday’s news conference alongside Landry.

Number of the Day

$665 billion – Reduction in state Medicaid budgets over the next decade due to policy changes in the federal tax and budget megabill. State general funds will be reduced by $86 billion during that time. (Source: RAND Health)