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BATON ROUGE (AP) — Senators seeking to boost Louisiana's minimum wage are making another push this legislative season for the proposal, which is championed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The Senate labor committee voted 4-2 Wednesday to advance the wage hike to the full Senate. The proposal made it that far last year before fizzling after being diverted to a second committee tasked with reviewing how raising some state workers' pay would impact the budget.
It's unclear whether new support has built for the effort. The vote in the Senate labor committee split along party lines, with Democrats supporting the wage hike and Republicans opposing it. That could forecast trouble in the majority-GOP Senate.
Supporters say a pay hike will help boost people out of poverty and keep working people from relying on government-financed programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. Bill sponsor Sen. Troy Carter noted the most recent federal minimum-wage increase was in 2009, "but the cost of goods continues to increase."
Louisiana's minimum wage is tied to the federal standard, $7.25 per hour. Under Carter's bill, the state would boost its rate to $8 per hour in 2018 and to $8.50 an hour a year later. The change wouldn't apply to student workers, tipped workers and certain agricultural workers.
Mary Ellen Slater, owner of a Baton Rouge-based marketing company, supported the minimum wage increase, saying she pays interns at her small business $10 an hour.
"I want to see the Louisiana economy grow and strengthen, and that starts with the consumer," Slater told senators. "They will spend that money. They will put that back into our economy."
Business groups opposed the proposal. They said the costs associated with increasing wages could lead to layoffs.
Dawn Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said Louisiana continues to change the rules on businesses, raising taxes multiple times.
"The cost of doing business has gone up over the past three years in this state so it makes it very difficult for a small business to keep its doors open," she said.
Both Starns and Jim Patterson, with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, suggested the free market should drive the wages paid at a company. Patterson said a minimum-wage hike could keep some companies from hiring low-skilled workers.
Edwards described Carter's proposal as a "modest, but meaningful increase."
"If we say that family values are critical to our way of life here in Louisiana, it's time to start valuing the hard-working families who contribute a great deal to our communities," the Democratic governor said in a statement.
Currently, 29 states have minimum wages above the federal level, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Voting for the bill Wednesday were Sens. Carter; Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge; Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans; and J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans. Voting against it were Sens. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport; and Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles. Committee Chairman Neil Riser, R-Columbia, didn't vote.
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Senate Bill 153: www.legis.la.gov

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
James Bailey Jr., 23, 110 Railroad Road, Patterson, was arrested on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of telephone harassment. He was released on a $2,000 bond.
Ernel Reed, 38, 1512 Louisiana Avenue, Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday at 2:36 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of issuing worthless checks. Reed was released on a $35,000 bond.
Kimber Thompson, 29, 375 Pacific St., Berwick, was arrested on Wednesday at 6:55 pm for theft of goods. Thompson was released on a summons.
Roger Short, 31, 6345 Mary St., Gibson, was arrested on Wednesday at 6:56 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of failure to secure vehicle registration and no driver’s license. No bail is set.
Nathan Williams Jr., 35, 415 Como St., Patterson, was arrested on Wednesday at 11:42 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of driving while intoxicated – second offense. Williams was released on a $3,500 bond.
Dexter Aucoin, 24, 505 Joey St., Patterson, was arrested on Wednesday at 4:32 p.m. for simple battery, simple assault, criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace. Bail is set at $4,250.
James Gibson Jr., 33, 819 South Road St., New Orleans, was arrested on Wednesday at 8:01 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of a Legend Drug without a prescription, possession of tramadol, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer and other offenses. Bail is set at $25,500.
Merlin Venable, 53, 1064 Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, was arrested on Wednesday at 9:25 p.m. for no vehicle insurance. Venable was released on a summons.
Narcotics agents arrested Samantha Landreneau, 24, 183 Aucoin St., Amelia, on Wednesday at 4:51 p.m. for possession of Schedule II – methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, five warrants for failure to appear for a drug court status conference and warrants for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, failure to use seatbelts, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license on person and failure to honor written promise to appear. No bail is set.
Javontre Levine, 24, 140 Mill Road, Lot 48, Patterson, was arrested on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m. for possession of Schedule II – crack cocaine and on a warrant for criminal trespass, resisting an officer and reckless operation of a vehicle. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
Beau Bush, 30, Oakdale Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday at 9:08 p.m., on a warrant for a parole violation. No bond is set.
Jovanta Henry, 24, Weber Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday at 11:01 p.m., on a warrant for parole violation. No bail is set.
Allen Only Jr., 35, Antigo Alley, Franklin, was arrested on Thursday at 12:30 a.m., for the charge of open alcohol container, resisting an officer by giving false information and possession of Schedule I narcotics – cocaine. No bail is set.
Shamar Kelker, 28, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday at 10:41 a.m., for resisting an officer. Officers responded a disturbance in the area of Myra St. Kelker is held on a $2,500 bond.
Tammy Boudreaux, 41, Bigler Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday, at 1:18 p.m., on a warrant for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Boudreaux was released on a $1,000 bond.
Mario Williams Jr., 17, Myra Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday, at 4:12 p.m., for the charge of no driver’s license and vehicle license plate required. Williams was released on a $500 bond.
Donald McDaniel Jr., 17, Percy Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday, at 11:30 p.m., for the charges on illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property. No bond is set.
Lionel White Jr., 24, Cypremort Road, Jeanerette, was arrested on Thursday, at 12:46 a.m., for the charge of possession of Schedule I narcotics – marijuana, first offense. White was released on a $500 bond.

Artists Guild Unlimited awarded the 2017 Art Scholarship to Madalyn Campbell of Berwick High School. Presenting the $1,600 award is AGU Scholarship Committee member Diane T. Martin.

American Legion Riders Post 328 is set to host their 15th Annual Freedom Ride and 3rd Annual Freedom Fest on Sunday to honor fallen veterans in commemoration of Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.
Both annual events are used as fundraisers to help American Legion Riders fund its charitable activities such as Operation Comfort Warriors, and to support local veteran organizations like the War Veterans Home in Reserve.
“The Freedom Festival is used to raise community awareness of what the Legion has to offer veterans and families of veterans,” said Tom Clark of the American Legion Riders.
The 15th Annual Freedom Ride consists of a motorcycle procession that stops to host wreath laying ceremonies at various Blue Star Memorial sites in St. Mary Parish. Local dignitaries will be at each wreath-laying stop to deliver a short remembrance speech.
The wreaths will be laid at the following locations: The Fallen Warrior Memorial in Morgan City, the Blue Star Memorial Site in Berwick, American Legion Post 242 in Patterson, the Peace Memorial Site in Franklin, the Chitimacha Veterans Memorial site, and the American Legion Hall in Pierre Part.
All vehicles are welcomed to join the Freedom Ride. Registration for the ride begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium with the ride beginning promptly at 8:30 a.m. Cost for riders is $15 and cost for passengers is $10. A free lunch will be provided by American Legion Post 328 for those who participate.
The 3rd Annual Freedom Fest will follow the ride beginning at noon at Post 328 American Legion Hall in Pierre Part. The Freedom Fest is free and open to the public.
Activities for the festivities include a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, karaoke, and live music provided by Hal Bruni and Friends and Michael Bacon. Lunch plates will be sold for $5 for those who did not participate in the ride.
For more information, visit ALR Freedom Ride website at www.alrfreedomfest.com.