Louisiana’s gross domestic product — the measure of goods and services produced in the state — was in the top tier in the nation in 2009, according to an article in today’s Advocate citing the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Bayou State also outpaced all other states in the southeastern U.S. The top-producing states were Oklahoma (6.6 percent), Wyoming (5.4), North Dakota (3.9) and Alaska (3.5).
According to the BEA analysis, Louisiana’s GDP rose 2.5 percent to $187.93 billion in 2009; 39 states showed declines. LSU economist Loren Scott, speaking to The Advocate, attributed the state’s positive growth to oil and gas, construction and the hospitality industries.
... written by James Melancon , November 19, 2010 - 02:10 pm
Looks like a list of pro-business states.
... written by Jason D. Faulk , November 19, 2010 - 09:51 pm
Then why are we so "poor"? I saw the State Treasurer on LPB today assert that we have no reason to have such budgetary problems and that we could and should have the number one funded and performing higher education system in the South.
Clearly again, Louisiana is a captured state in the political sense. Of course, the other states topping the list also have large fossil fuel extraction sectors, Louisiana adds petrochemical refining to this mix. Clearly we produce for the rest of the country, and export to the world, and we keep the pollution and the dysfunctional politics and terrible to lack of healthcare.
... written by Joshua Benton , November 20, 2010 - 05:41 pm
Closer reading needed! Louisiana's GDP is not in the top tier or "fifth in the nation." The *rate of growth* in the GDP was fifth in the nation in 2009, not the GDP itself. That makes sense, with an energy-heavy economy. Louisiana actually ranked 23rd among the 50 states in GDP in 2009.
... written by Jason D. Faulk , November 22, 2010 - 09:50 pm
Thanks for the clarification Joshua, admittedly I misread this posting here and over the weekend noticed the discrepancy in other publications.
What still stands out to attention is the outsized economic activity in this state compared to our population and our per capita and family income. There may be numerous reasons to explain the discrepancy, but it is still unbelievable that we are fighting for federal oil royalty scraps to fund coastal rebuilding and urban fortification in SE Louisiana, and are faced with a constant lagging in several criteria for quality of life, health and wellbeing in this land of plenty. Thankfully, Louisiana maintains a healthy sense of and attachment to Place and an identifiable, distinct culture that remains intact in modern America.
Perhaps if we could ever stop this 'Race to the Bottom' of further investment in large chemical plants and other polluting manufacturing plants which seem to only make us more vulnerable with economic indiversity, we could then overcome our problems. I guess that won't end anytime soon, we're gluttons for punishment. I'm just glad to have grown up around Lafayette where we aren't industry city, I'd rather not get cancer in this life.
I learned today that Louisiana accounts for 40% of all chemical refining capacity in the USA. Forty percent....makes you have to think, why aren't we as rich as the Germans?
... written by The Original Northsidian , December 02, 2010 - 06:44 pm
Nice article. But, what does it do for us, me, you, them, etc.?
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