A year later: Where are we?

03/05/2021
by Eric Peterson, director of the Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation Policy This week is a somber anniversary, as it marks one year since Americans were forced to lockdown across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, after a year of health and economic devastation caused by the virus and subsequent government lockdowns,...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate

State Job Numbers Are No Cause for Celebration

By Daniel J. Erspamer
02/12/2021
As Louisianans celebrate a vastly different kind of Mardi Gras this year, the latest economic data shows that COVID-19 has resulted in far more than cancelled parades. State and local government officials’ response to the pandemic has also led to significant job losses. Louisiana’s new economic data shows that while the number of Louisianans on...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Mardi Gras, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance

Reading Between the Lines on Latest Jobs Report

02/01/2021
by Eric Peterson, director of the Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation Policy At first glance, the December State Employment and Unemployment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics appeared positive for Louisiana. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals there is still a long way to go in the state’s economic recovery. The...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, occupational licensing, regulatory reform, tax reform

Last Jobs Report of the Year A Mixed Bag

12/29/2020
by Eric Peterson, Director of Policy During the holiday season, Louisianans have more on their mind than the latest state economic reports. Yet as we enter the New Year, it’s important to understand where our state’s economy stands. Two reports, one from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the other from the Bureau of...

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economic Analysis, Economy, Gross Domestic Product, jobs and opportunity, lawsuit abuse, legal reform, occupational licensing, regulatory reform, tax reform

Despite hiccups, Louisiana economy slowly moving forward

12/08/2020
by Eric Peterson, Director of Policy As 2020 winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the difficulties we’ve all experienced, both on the health and economic fronts, throughout this year. Fortunately, as a vaccine appears within reach, so too is a return to a strong economy. The latest jobs release from the Bureau of...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Mardi Gras, tax reform, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

Latest Jobs Report Has Bad News for Louisiana

By Daniel J. Erspamer
10/24/2020
This hasn’t been a year of positive news. Over the last few months, however, there have been some bright spots for Louisiana and the nation’s economies, as they have been steadily moving in the right direction. But, the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some sobering news for those who expected...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economy, jobs and opportunity, legal reform, tax reform

Damage of Louisiana’s Shutdown Becoming Clearer

By Daniel J. Erspamer
10/09/2020
As the Louisiana legislature debates adding checks and balances to the state’s emergency powers, reports from both the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) are painting a picture of just how economically damaging the state’s shutdown has been. Let’s start with the worst news. The BEA reported Louisiana’s economy shrank...

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Get Louisiana Working, Real GDP, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate

Louisiana Lags as America Recovers

By Daniel J. Erspamer
09/11/2020
The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed the U.S. economy is about halfway to recovery. Meanwhile, Louisiana job numbers are still falling well behind the rest of the nation. Overall, the report wasn’t surprising, as it revealed employment rose by 1.4 million in the month of August while the unemployment...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economy, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity

Could Expanding Unemployment Insurance Hurt Louisiana’s Recovery?

By Daniel J. Erspamer
08/24/2020
Last week saw the release of some of best economic news for the state of Louisiana in a long time. According to the Department of Labor’s data for the week ending August 8, the number of Louisianans on unemployment insurance decreased by more than 53,000. This comes on the heels of a 27,000-person decrease during...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Economic Analysis, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, regulatory reform, tax reform