“In fact, the only way to
arrive at the columnist’s conclusion that Louisiana ranks ‘well above the
national average in per capita spending’ is to make it all up!”
Numbers can be pesky
things, a great source for truth, or a weapon to mislead. Scientists like numbers because they
are transparent, until human beings interpret them or insinuate that they have
done so. I am a political
scientist who teaches my students “math is the language of objectivity!” Yet, three-plus decades of research and
teaching have taught me the pitfalls of data collection and interpretation for
someone trying to conduct scientifically valid research, even if it proved me wrong.
In partisan politics, many divest
themselves of scientific validity, some accidentally, others purposefully, and
still others because they fail to admit their biases. We all have biases, but numbers have a way of cutting
through those most cherished.
Recently, Jeff Sadow for The Advocate (See "Lawmakers should call Edwards'
bluff on TOPS, Medicaid," The Advocate, February 27, 2016) criticized Gov. John Bel Edwards’
budget plan during the special session of the Louisiana State Legislature,
arguing that the governor “refuses to meaningfully pare a state
government that ranks well above the national average in per capita spending”
[emphasis added]. Sadow didn’t indicate sources supporting these value statements, so I collected the
most recent data and examined it. In
fact, the only way to arrive at the columnist’s conclusion that Louisiana ranks
“well above the national average in per capita spending” is to make it all up!
I looked at the most
recent U.
S. Census data estimates of state populations for 2015. I combined this with
data from the National
Association of State Budget Officers, State Expenditure Report (Fiscal
2013-2015) (Table A-1 in the downloadable report). In 2015, total state general fund and federal fund
expenditures per capita ranged from a low of $3,724 (Florida) to a high $18,644
(Alaska), with a national average per state of $6,649.* Louisiana ranked 22nd out of
fifty states, in the middle of the pack, at $6,365 per capita. That’s right! Louisiana was $284* per
capita below the state averages nationwide! Among 16 southern states, Louisiana ranked 7th in total state general fund and federal fund expenditures per capita, about $134 per capita above the state averages
in the south.
Notice that while Louisiana spent a total of $29.7 billion in 2015,
$10.15 billion of this was federal funds, $2,173 per capita (ranked 14th),
or about $200 per capita above the state averages
nationwide. The Louisiana state
portion of total state spending was $19.58 billion. Nationwide, state general fund expenditures averaged $4,676* per
capita. Louisiana averaged $4,192 in
per capita state general fund spending, placing it 23rd, or $483* per
capita below the state averages nationwide!
Now, I don’t mind voters, politicians, and citizens calling into
question the spending and priorities of state government. All of us should be vigilant in our
efforts to take care of our community of needs, while reigning in the natural
and selfish human inclinations to abuse the system! However, looking at this data, it is difficult to make the
argument that, compared to other states, Louisiana has a spending problem. Whether we look at per capita spending
or gross dollar amounts, Louisiana was in the middle of the pack of fifty
states, with one exception: We ranked 14th in State Federal
Fund Expenditures! For
that matter, Louisiana was one of eight southern states (including Arkansas,
Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia) in
which state federal fund expenditures per capita were above the average per
state nationwide ($1,973 per capita).
In other words, we are dependent upon everyone else for a huge amount of
resources in our state budget.
Why? Because of our history
of poverty, low levels of education, and lack of economic development
(regardless of the deadbeat mantra always coming from Bobby Jindal and his
apologists)! Imagine if we in Louisiana really
did have to pay for our own spending!
The fact remains that we do not live in the 18th century,
with the luxury to implement a minimalist government, not if we want to have a
competitive position in a world driven more and more by competitive people of
high intellect, hard work, creativity, technological knowledge and skill! Anyway, those pesky numbers, they must be liberals!
For a closer look at the data used to draw my conclusions
(and to refute The Advocate’s columnist), please click on the following link to
my blog:
