When it comes to lists, Louisiana rarely seems to rank well in the most important categories. From education to crime rates, most residents have grown so accustomed to seeing Louisiana rank near the bottom on any list that over time it’s become downright comical. “Thank God for Mississippi,” is common response when the topic of outdated infrastructure or abysmal financial literacy rates is discussed among Louisianans.
But now, not even “TGFM” holds water, with Louisiana recently earning the title of worst state in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Even for a state familiar with pitiful rankings, this is a new low.
Annual poor rankings for education, crime, infrastructure and more should alarm Louisiana residents, and more importantly, our governor. What is Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to break this dreadful, never-ending cycle? No Louisiana resident expects a miraculous, worst-to-first rise from cellar-dweller to best state in America, but is it too much to ask for rankings near the middle of the pack?
Louisiana residents deserve better and should demand more leadership from the Edwards administration. The cycle of appalling state ratings must be broken, but it does not appear Edwards will be the man to break it.
Take a look at some of Louisiana’s worst rankings:
LOUISIANA RANKINGS | ||
BEST STATES | 50 | U.S. News & World Report |
HEALTHCARE | 45 | U.S. News & World Report |
EDUCATION | 46 | U.S. News & World Report |
CRIME & CORRECTIONS | 50 | U.S. News & World Report |
INFRASTRUCTURE | 39 | U.S. News & World Report |
OPPORTUNITY | 49 | U.S. News & World Report |
ECONOMY | 46 | U.S. News & World Report |
GOVERNMENT | 46 | U.S. News & World Report |
BEST/WORST RUN STATE | 50 | 24/7 Wall Street |
EDUCATION | 46 | Education Week |
WORST STATES FOR CHILDREN | 50 | Save the Children |
HIGHWAYS | 34 | Reason Foundation |
JUDICIAL HELLHOLES (2016-17) | 7 | American Tort Reform Foundation |
JUDICIAL HELLHOLES (2017-18) | 8 | American Tort Reform Foundation |
LEGAL CLIMATE | 50 | U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform |
ECONOMY | 50 | Wallet Hub |
INFRASTRUCTURE | D+ | Louisiana ASCE |
SALES TAX | 1 (highest) | Tax Foundation |
STATE BUSINESS CLIMATE | 41 | Tax Foundation |
WORST STATES FOR BUSINESS | 7 | CNBC |
BRIDGES – based on % of structurally deficient bridges | 10th worst | American Road & Transportation Builders Association |
BRIDGES – based on # of structurally deficient bridges | 12th worst | American Road & Transportation Builders Association |
BEST/WORST STATES FOR BUSINESS | 37 | Chief Executive |
HEALTHIEST STATES FOR SENIORS | 47 | United Health Foundation |
HEALTHIEST STATES | 49 | United Health Foundation |
EDUCATION – PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 51 | Wallet Hub |
FINANCIAL LITERACY | 51 | Wallet Hub |
UNINSURED RATE | 44 | AXIOS |
UNEMPLOYMENT | 47 | AXOIS |
PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE | 46 | AXOIS |
PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN POVERTY | 49 | AXOIS |
HIGHEST OBESITY RATE | 51 | AXOIS |
MOST STRESSED STATES | 2 | Wallet Hub |
BEST/WORST FOR TEACHERS | 40 | Wallet Hub |
FISCAL HEALTH | 44 | Mercatus Center |