This report bodes poorly for Louisiana as federal monies dry up even more due to the national debt and an uncertain economy. The state ranks 43rd, with the honors of the state sinking in the deepest of debt being Connecticut while the best, Wyoming lofting an incredible surplus of over 15 billion dollars. All but four of the 50 states have negative balances, with some much worse than others.
According to the Institute, Louisiana is one of a majority of states which has been pushing the current compensation costs onto future taxpayers. The Institute claims the actual national debt is over 70 trillion dollars which underscores the difficulty for the federal government to help the states and Louisiana, financially.
Historically, Louisiana has always been compared with Arkansas and Mississippi as one of the three states in the U.S. on the bottom of most lists.
But, how bad off is the state compared to those neighbors?
Here is a comparative chart in millions which reflects that Louisiana has an amazing 45.4 billion dollars in assets compared to Mississippi’s 23.8 billion dollars and Arkansas’s 22 billion dollars. Despite those assets, Louisiana needs a whopping 21.1 billion dollars to pay its bills while Mississippi needs 10.3 billion and Arkansas only requires 700 million dollars.
Why is Louisiana so broke compared to its neighbors?
In short, the state has 36.3 billion dollars in bills compared to Mississippi’s 16.8 billion and Arkansas’s 8.5 billion dollars.
Assets |
Less Capital Assets |
Less assets restricted by law or contract |
Assets available to pay bills |
Bills |
Money Needed To Pay Bills |
Each Taxpayer’s Burden |
|
Louisiana |
45.4 |
21.7 |
8.5 |
15 |
36.3 |
21.1 |
16,800 |
Mississippi |
23.8 |
15 |
2.3 |
6.5 |
16.8 |
10.3 |
14,300 |
Arkansas |
22 |
12.4 |
1.6 |
8 |
8.5 |
700 |
700 |
Here are also the list of Louisiana’s liabilities in billions
State bonds $10.3B
Other liabilities $11.0B
Less Debt Related to Capital Asset $4.5B
Net reported liabilities $16.8B
Less Reported Retirement Liabilities $1.8B
Unfunded Pension Benefits Due $7B
Unfunded Retirees' Health Care Benefits Due $14.3B
Total Liabilities $36.3B
So, when our politicians tell us how good Louisiana is doing compared to the rest of the country or compared to those in the Deep South or even compared to our closest neighbors, perhaps we should ask them to tell us the rest of the story.
by Stephen Sabludowsky, Publisher of Bayoubuzz.com
Related:
Louisiana On Bad List Of Debts Owed By States, But Now Using Good Numbers
U.S. Debt Not 14.3B But 75B; States Hiding Theirs
Truth in Accounting Report Identifies Five "Sinkhole States"
Click here to download the full report.
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