There will not be a minimum wage increase in the state of Louisiana after the state Senate voted the proposal down.

The Senate refused to move from the $7.25-per-hour federal level to $8.50 over the next two years.

29 other states currently have a minimum wage higher than the federally-set rate.

New Orleans Sen. Troy Carter (D) proposed the bill and was able to get 17 senators to vote for it. However, 21 senators opposed the bill.

Carter contended that while the increase was modest, it aimed at helping people whose wages have stagnated as living costs escalated.

This was the third consecutive year that Gov. John Bel Edwards has sought a minimum wage hike.

Senators also rejected another proposal by Edwards which would have extended an equal pay law for state agencies to cover businesses that get state contracts.

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