Economist Questions Gov’s Employment Good News [VIDEO]

LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty, questioning Governor John Bel Edwards' claims about Louisiana's optimistic unemployment numbers.

JBE is touting numbers that say the state has the second largest monthly unemployment decline in February with an overall rate of 4.5%, but Scott says the numbers aren't so rosy in areas where the construction industry has slowed.

Scott tells KEEL listeners that the Shreveport-Bossier area's employment numbers peaked in 2008, but in the last ten years has lost 15,000 jobs, including both General Motors and Barksdale Air Force Base.

"People tend to follow their pocketbook," says Scott. "They tend to vote with their pocketbook," and in addressing the continued numbers of Louisianans moving out of state, "(People) go where the jobs are."

Hear Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty weekday mornings 6 til 9 on 101.7 / 710 KEEL, or by downloading the free KEEL app, presented by Office Furniture Source.