Research / Industry & Commerce
Policy Analysis | March 2021
Unemployment in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Disclaimer: On November 30, 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the U.S. Department of Labor inaccurately reported the number of people filing for unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Due to the historic number of individuals filing for benefits beginning in March 2020, and states' frequent backlogs processing the claims, the traditional method of reporting unemployment did not accurately capture the number of unique individuals claiming benefits, according to the GAO report. For example, if a person filed for five weeks of benefits in a given week, the Department of Labor typically counted it as five separate claimants, not one. This method of reporting normally is a reliable proxy for the number of unique individuals claiming benefits, but it did not account for states' processing delays and claimants retroactively applying for benefits during the pandemic. While the absolute figures may not be accurate, the trend levels remain helpful for understanding the overall employment outlook.
This SLC Policy Analysis was concluded on March 26, 2021. For additional information regarding the Department of Labor data, please contact Roger Moore at rmoore@csg.org.
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Policy Analysis | March 2021
Trade in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic upended global economic activity in the first quarter of 2020. Although the long-term impact of the pandemic on public health and global commerce remains unknown, the profound economic shocks experienced beginning in March 2020, with widespread business closures and restrictions on movement, are expected to reverberate in 2021 and, possibly, beyond. In October, the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported that global merchandise trade declined 14.3 percent between the second quarters of 2019 and 2020, the largest quarter-on-quarter drop ever. Global trade for all of 2020, the WTO estimated, declined 9.2 percent, while global GDP decreased 4.8 percent.1
By highlighting export and import data, as reported monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau, this SLC Policy Analysis depicts how the pandemic has impacted the U.S. economy and, particularly, trade in the SLC region. The data includes export and import data for the following periods:
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Webinar | March 2021
COVID-19 and American Agriculture II: Agricultural Response and Outlook
Like all sectors of the American economy, the agriculture sector has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the largest purchasers of agricultural products—including restaurants, schools and hotels—have closed or operated at limited capacity for nearly a year due to the pandemic. Farmers and ranchers have had to adjust their methods to meet these new trends. This program provides an update on how the agriculture sector is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the outlook for American farmers.
Presentations:
Allison Crittenden, Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation, Washington, D.C.
Michael Nepveux, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation, Washington, D.C.
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SLC Economic Development, Transportation & Cultural Affairs Committee
2020-2021
Chair
Representative
Manly Barton
Mississippi
2020-2021
Vice Chair
Representative
Nathaniel Ledbetter
Alabama
Immediate
Past Chair
Representative
Jeanie Lauer
Missouri
The SLC Economic Development, Transportation & Cultural Affairs Committee examines issues related to infrastructure, transportation, economic progress and cultural strengths in the Southern region. Discussions and reports of the committee have focused on Southern state actions to bring manufacturing operations of national and foreign companies to the region, as well as the importance of ports, roads and railways for the movement of manufactured goods. The committee has a long history of studying the impact of the Panama Canal expansion and international trade with Mexico, Canada and China on Southern state economies.
More SLC Research into Industry & Commerce
Policy Analysis | February 2021
State Tax Collections in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Webinar | September 2020
Webinar | August 2020
Webinar | August 2020
Webinar | July 2020
SLC Regional Resource | July 2020
The State of the South: Examining Fiscal Impacts from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Webinar | July 2020
SLC Regional Resource | April 2020
Missed Connections: State Funding Mechanisms for Broadband Expansion
Other | December 2019
Policy Analysis | December 2019
SLC Regional Resource | September 2019
SLC Regional Resource | March 2019
Other | January 2019
SLC Special Series Report | October 2018
Policy Analysis | May 2018
Policy Analysis | April 2018
SLC Issue Brief | January 2018
SLC Issue Brief | October 2017
SLC Regional Resource | December 2016
Policy Analysis | September 2016
Policy Analysis | March 2016
Policy Analysis | January 2016
SLC Regional Resource | January 2016
Policy Analysis | September 2015
SLC Regional Resource | July 2015
The Drive to Move South Advances: Automakers Revitalize the U.S. and Southern Economies
Policy Analysis | July 2015
Changes in the Percentage Breakdown of Major Tax Categories in Southern States
SLC Regional Resource | March 2015
Tale of Two Cities: The Impact of Slumping Oil Prices on the Economy
SLC Issue Alert | June 2014
SLC Regional Resource | February 2014
Policy Analysis | February 2014
U.S. Goods and Services Exports Soar to Unprecedented Heights in 2013; SLC States Shine
Policy Analysis | January 2014
SLC Regional Resource | November 2013
SLC Regional Resource | July 2013
SLC Issue Alert | May 2013
2013 Update on the Panama Canal Expansion and Ports in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast States
Policy Analysis | February 2013
Exports Continue to Surge in 2012, SLC State Exports Continue to Secure Impressive Growth Rates
SLC Issue Alert | September 2012
Policy Analysis | February 2012
Exports Soar in 2011 to Record Heights, West Virginia Leads the Nation
Policy Analysis | June 2011
SLC Fiscal Alert | May 2011
SLC Fiscal Alert | October 2010
Deadline to Secure New Federal Funding Promoting Small Businesses Imminent
SLC Special Series Report | June 2010
SLC Special Series Report | January 2009
Article | December 2008
From Blues to Benton to Bluegrass: The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South
Policy Analysis | November 2008
Article | August 2008
Article | July 2008
Presentation | September 2007
The Drive to Move South: The Growing Role of the Automobile Industry in the South
Article | August 2007
SLC Regional Resource | June 2007
Lights! Camera! Action!: Southern States Efforts to Attract Filmmakers' Business
Presentation | November 2006
From Blues to Benton to Bluegrass: the Economic Impact of the Arts in the South
SLC Special Series Report | April 2006
From Blues to Benton to Bluegrass: The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South
SLC Regional Resource | August 2005
From Blues to Benton to Bluegrass: The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South
SLC Regional Resource | May 2004
Presentation | April 2004
SLC Special Series Report | November 2003
SLC Regional Resource | February 2003
Presentation | September 2002
Comparative Data Reports | July 2002
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Gaming, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
SLC Regional Resource | June 2002
Comparative Data Reports | November 2001
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Gaming, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
SLC Regional Resource | July 2001
Forging New Trade Relationships: Latin America and the Southern Legislative Conference States
SLC Regional Resource | June 2001
The Latest Gross State Product (GSP) Trends in the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) States
SLC Regional Resource | February 2001
SLC Special Series Report | November 2000
SLC Regional Resource | August 2000
SLC Regional Resource | January 2000
The U.S.-China Trade Agreement and its Implications for Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) States
SLC Special Series Report | October 1999
The Future of Southern Ports: Megaships and Megachanges on the Horizon