GOV EDWARDS 2019 PRIORITIES - Yesterday Gov. John Bel Edwards previewed his 2019 Louisiana legislative agenda that features a few new items, several repeat proposals and a pledge that he won't call any special sessions during this election year. Speaking before the Baton Rouge Press Club, Edwards said pay raises at public schools, equal pay laws, health care protections, and a minimum wage increase are among his priorities as he seeks re-election to a second term this fall.
"I'll be advancing legislation to establish a state minimum wage at $8 per hour, on Jan. 1st, 2020 and $8.50 per hour beginning on Jan. 1st, 2021.," explained Edwards. "This legislation was modeled after our neighbor in Arkansas. Since then, Arkansas
has actually passed another increase to the minimum wage and by they way, on every single iteration of their experience in increasing the minimum wage, employment has actually gone up in Arkansas, not down."
Attempts to roll back last year's seven-year sales tax renewal won't have Edwards' backing. Edwards expects to return to the regular legislative calendar this year explaining Louisiana's budget has stabilized, so special sessions to address financial gaps aren't needed.
