Louisiana:
Is our state's economy 'Making It' yet? Just one short year ago - seems like ages, in another century even, then-newly re-elected Louisiana Governor Mike Foster said these words in his second-term inaugural address: " We do not have much time. If we, as a people, do not seize this moment, I am afraid Louisiana will forever be a state that simply did not make it." He said, " . . . our future will be measured by the progress we make against the historic enemies of human achievement: ignorance, poverty, hatred, and inequality. These enemies do not magically disappear at the beginning of a new century, or a new millennium." The Governor went on to list achievements of his first term, including improvements in education, and additions to the economics of technology in several areas of the state. Louisiana, he said in January, 2000, is ranked 34th in the nation in high-technology employment - which can be taken as something of a credit, being somewhat above the halfway mark of 25th in 50, and several notches above the state's rankings in teacher pay, literacy, per capita income, and other economic indicators which often show Louisiana to be a not-winning place. While we appreciate our chemical industry, the oil and gas industry, and those who feed our families in the agricultural sector, if we are to defeat poverty, build wealth, and create opportunity it must come in other areas like high technology. Over the next four years we will leave no opportunity unexploited, no possibility untapped, and no event unattended in our effort to move our state into those endeavors that add value to products, thus creating new jobs and wealth for our people. So, it's fair to ask one year later what progress Louisiana has made in the direction of Foster's goal of defeating poverty, building wealth, and creating opportunity. One move which came out of Baton Rouge - the series of proposed Constitutional amendments to revamp parts of the Louisiana tax system - offered at least one lawmaker's vision of a move toward raising State revenue for education and other needs. In spite of Governor Foster's support, and a restatement of his warnings of doom for Louisiana if they did not pass, voters predictably turned the measures down rather emphatically. We do believe the State's tax burden is not always "fair and balanced," as one of the up-and-coming TV news networks claims for its output. It will take courageous legislating, unaccustomed agreement across diverse interest groups, plus thorough, un-spun, just-the-facts-ma'am education of the public, to make meaningful changes to benefit the long-term public interest - a convergence of events seldom seen in real life. But of course, it's not all up to the government. "Making it" includes effort by companies, groups, and individuals, to develop ideas, create opportunities, and make the investment in entrepreneurship that builds strong local economies based on local human, financial, and natural. It's pleasing to go "up north" and induce an established national or regional manufacturer to establish a plant in this area - with a portfolio of tax exemptions and financial incentives to develop local jobs. It is quite something else to "home grow" a value-added industry with roots - literally and figuratively - in the local soil. A brilliant case in point is the Ruston-based Hogan Hardwood and Mouldings - a multi-million dollar family-owned enterprise using local talent and resources, selling nationwide. (Story, February 2001 issue). What will it take? The combination of: Pie in he sky? Figure it out . . . Are we making it yet? |