Danny Mintz Archives - Louisiana Budget Project

September 13, 2019

Food insecurity is falling in Louisiana, but is still among the highest rates in the nation

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The percentage of households in Louisiana that lack consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy lifestyle has dropped significantly in recent years, according to the latest data from the U.S.… Read more...

May 7, 2019

House Budget Plan Shortchanges Services for Vulnerable Children

Updated, May 8, 3:20 p.m.: This post has been updated to reflect additional appropriations to DCFS proposed in House Bill 392.

The Louisiana House is scheduled to debate next year’s $30 billion state operating budget on Thursday, and the dispute that’s making headlines involves $40 million in public education funding.… Read more...

February 8, 2019

Proposed SNAP Changes Would Harm Louisianans Facing Greatest Economic Barriers

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Regardless of where they live or what they look like, Louisianans work hard to take care of their families. But due to historic and continuing discrimination, people of color in Louisiana face greater barriers to economic opportunity than their White neighbors.… Read more...

December 6, 2018

Minimum wage doesn’t cover the rent

A worker in Louisiana earning the minimum wage would have to work 76 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom rental home, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage and relies on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009 and has lost 12.9 percent of its purchasing power since that time. The report also paints a grim picture for affordable housing across the nation.

Number of the Day

$717 - Monthly “fair market” rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Louisiana. A worker would need to make $14.07 per hour to make that affordable - which would require 76 hours per week of work at the $7.25 federal minimum wage (Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition)