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The Six Fastest Growing States are All Red...
North Dakota, Wyoming(Dem. Gov. 2003-2011), Oklahoma (Dem. Gov. 2003-2011), Texas, Louisiana and
West Virginia (Dem. Gov.),
Wanted to note which states were led thru most of the recession by Dem. Governors.
While these random economic indicators are from a site analyzing OK's economy, the ones posted
apply to the region and the country as a whole. Obama has nothing to apologize for given
these state economies prior to his election and Romney is full of shit trying to suggest any
Repub. could have led us thru the recession more successfully. Agreed many parts of the
country are suffering, also, these states will vote against their own best interests but, there
are some bragging rights for Obama and I would like to hear more of that during the campaign.
Remember these are stats from OK. recently described as the reddest state in America. Doesn't
sound as if they are complaining when you look at the facts.
It is not in the Dem. Parties best interests for red states to be the fastest growing, but just want
to point out the hypocrisy of the economic reality vs. the criticism of Obama. I'm not a numbers
person so be kind in pointing out any mistakes. 
Current Developments
More than two‐thirds of U.S. state economies strengthened during the last three months of
2011, the widest advance in more than year, confirming the spread of a recovery fueled by
manufacturing and energy production. State personal income rose an average 5.1 percent in
2011 after rising 3.7 percent in 2010, according to estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
(BEA). State personal income growth ranged from 3.4 percent in Maine to 8.1 percent in North
Dakota.
Earnings, which grew an average 4.4 percent in 2011, recovered their pre‐recession levels and
reached new peaks in 45 states. However, earnings in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, and
Oklahoma are still below peaks reached in 2007 or 2008.
Private nonfarm earnings accounted for almost all of the growth in personal income in the 4th
quarter in most states. Mining earnings grew 9.0 percent, faster than every other industry, and
accounted for the bulk of the growth in the six fastest growing states: North Dakota, Wyoming,
Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
More than two‐thirds of U.S. state economies strengthened during the last three months of
2011, the widest advance in more than year, confirming the spread of a recovery fueled by
manufacturing and energy production. State personal income rose an average 5.1 percent in
2011 after rising 3.7 percent in 2010, according to estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
(BEA). State personal income growth ranged from 3.4 percent in Maine to 8.1 percent in North
Dakota.
Earnings, which grew an average 4.4 percent in 2011, recovered their pre‐recession levels and
reached new peaks in 45 states. However, earnings in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, and
Oklahoma are still below peaks reached in 2007 or 2008.
Private nonfarm earnings accounted for almost all of the growth in personal income in the 4th
quarter in most states. Mining earnings grew 9.0 percent, faster than every other industry, and
accounted for the bulk of the growth in the six fastest growing states: North Dakota, Wyoming,
Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
Current Developments
Manufacturing continued its growth in March as U.S. factories ramped up hiring and production.
The PMI registered 53.4 percent, an increase of 1 percentage point from February's reading of
52.4 percent, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 32nd consecutive month,
according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Factory growth was widespread with
15 of 18 manufacturing industries reporting expansion, including mining, steel and other metal
production, oil and gas, autos and furniture.
The ISM survey found that new orders are increasing, but at a slightly slower pace than in
February. Order backlogs rose at a faster pace and manufacturers said their customers are
reporting low inventories, suggesting they are likely to keep ordering new goods. Export orders
dropped sharply, falling 5.5 percentage points to 54.0, implying overseas demand is easing.
Input prices dipped slightly but remained high, pointing to rising costs for raw materials, such as
oil, copper and plastics.
Manufacturing continued its growth in March as U.S. factories ramped up hiring and production.
The PMI registered 53.4 percent, an increase of 1 percentage point from February's reading of
52.4 percent, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 32nd consecutive month,
according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Factory growth was widespread with
15 of 18 manufacturing industries reporting expansion, including mining, steel and other metal
production, oil and gas, autos and furniture.
The ISM survey found that new orders are increasing, but at a slightly slower pace than in
February. Order backlogs rose at a faster pace and manufacturers said their customers are
reporting low inventories, suggesting they are likely to keep ordering new goods. Export orders
dropped sharply, falling 5.5 percentage points to 54.0, implying overseas demand is easing.
Input prices dipped slightly but remained high, pointing to rising costs for raw materials, such as
oil, copper and plastics.
Current Developments
U.S. factories continued adding jobs in March. Manufacturing employment rose by 37,000 in
March, with gains in motor vehicles and parts (+12,000), machinery (+7,000), fabricated metals
(+5,000), and paper manufacturing (+3,000). Factory employment has risen by 470,000 since a
recent low point in January 2010
U.S. factories continued adding jobs in March. Manufacturing employment rose by 37,000 in
March, with gains in motor vehicles and parts (+12,000), machinery (+7,000), fabricated metals
(+5,000), and paper manufacturing (+3,000). Factory employment has risen by 470,000 since a
recent low point in January 2010
Most of these are a direct result of Obama saving the auto industry.
Rising exports along with strong hiring boosted the Mid‐America region’s leading economic
indicator in March, according to the Creighton Economic Forecasting Group. The index climbed
March 2012 Page 13 March 2012 Page 14
to 58.6 from 58.4 in February. The index, a leading economic indicator from a monthly survey of
supply managers, has increased for five straight months. Shortages of skilled manufacturing
workers were also reported for many parts of region.
Regional supply managers were also surveyed about how their suppliers were dealing with
higher fuel prices. “Almost three of four, or 72 percent, indicated that suppliers were adding
fuel surcharges to the cost of supplies while 16 percent of suppliers absorbed the added costs,”
said Ernie Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group.
“Only a significant upturn in oil prices or a catastrophe such as last year’s Japanese tsunami will
derail this expansion. Thus far, higher gasoline and fuel prices have failed to slow growth in the
region,” said Goss.
indicator in March, according to the Creighton Economic Forecasting Group. The index climbed
March 2012 Page 13 March 2012 Page 14
to 58.6 from 58.4 in February. The index, a leading economic indicator from a monthly survey of
supply managers, has increased for five straight months. Shortages of skilled manufacturing
workers were also reported for many parts of region.
Regional supply managers were also surveyed about how their suppliers were dealing with
higher fuel prices. “Almost three of four, or 72 percent, indicated that suppliers were adding
fuel surcharges to the cost of supplies while 16 percent of suppliers absorbed the added costs,”
said Ernie Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group.
“Only a significant upturn in oil prices or a catastrophe such as last year’s Japanese tsunami will
derail this expansion. Thus far, higher gasoline and fuel prices have failed to slow growth in the
region,” said Goss.
So much for Romneys bullshit argument that higher gas prices are hurting any chance of an Obama
recovery plan.
Current Developments
U.S. homebuilders appear to be more confident that the housing market is finally on the path
back to health. Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were
at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 or 5.1 percent above the revised January rate of
682,000 and 34.3 percent above the February 2011 estimate of 534,000, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. February’s residential
permitting activity was the highest seen since October 2008.
A mild winter has allowed builders to keep working in most parts of the country. Also, an
improving job market has many slightly more optimistic about home sales this year. However,
homebuilders are still facing strong headwinds as they are struggling to compete with deeply
discounted foreclosures and short sales in many markets.
U.S. homebuilders appear to be more confident that the housing market is finally on the path
back to health. Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were
at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 or 5.1 percent above the revised January rate of
682,000 and 34.3 percent above the February 2011 estimate of 534,000, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. February’s residential
permitting activity was the highest seen since October 2008.
A mild winter has allowed builders to keep working in most parts of the country. Also, an
improving job market has many slightly more optimistic about home sales this year. However,
homebuilders are still facing strong headwinds as they are struggling to compete with deeply
discounted foreclosures and short sales in many markets.
Foreclosures and short sales a direct result of the predatory lending practices leading up to the bush
recession.
http://www.ok.gov/oesc_web/documents/lmiEconIndPub.pdf
