Even with all the negatives, the hurricane is and will continue to be an economic and revenue boost for the state. However, understand that the state's economy was already growing fast... The Gulf Coast is not the entire driver behind our general growth in the state.
The state as a whole was doing pretty well before Katrina.
Sweat is not enough today. We can't beat the Chinese on labor costs. We need jobs that require thought processes, and we have to find a way to educate our people.
The rest of the state is doing all right.
