Hat tip to the local radio this morning.

Good news from the bayou, but it was close. Louisiana House Bill 194, which would have gradually increased the minimum wage in Louisiana to 19% over the federal minimum wage, failed in a House committee by a 5-5 tie.

Proponents said workers can’t live on the current minimum wage.

Jim Funk, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, argued that 85 percent of those who are paid the $5.15 minimum wage live with a parent or guardian.

“The minimum wage was never meant to support a family of three or four,” Funk told the committee.

(skipping)

Rep. Ronnie Johns, R-Sulphur and a member of the committee, criticized the measure and said employers have a limited number of dollars for employee salaries. Johns said an increase in the state’s minimum wage could result in fewer jobs.

The minimum wage was originally created in 1938 for employees engaged in interstate commerce or the production of goods for interstate commerce. How far we’ve come in terms of federal scope!