Facts for the Future
Since its founding, CABL has always placed data at the forefront of its public policy work. Over the years, we have produced many resources driven by data that aim to point out our state’s most pressing issues and identify data-driven solutions that help move Louisiana forward. A popular resource for the first decade of the 2000s was our Louisiana Fact Book, a compilation of factual information, published every two years, that shed light on many aspects of life in our state.
Keeping with our history and mission to provide easy-to-understand information that any citizen can use, we have developed a new online resource in the spirit of the Louisiana Fact Book. This updated, online publication includes a comprehensive list of 35 indicators that measure the wellbeing of our state in five key areas.
When viewed collectively, these indicators paint a picture of Louisiana that can help us assess the challenges we are currently facing and make strides toward creating a better Louisiana.
Green arrows on an indicator show we have seen improvement over the prior year. Red arrows tell us we are moving in the wrong direction. To offer a more complete picture, we have included a series of notes on each data point which provide additional background, context, and recent trends. The notes make important points about where Louisiana really stands, and the issues state leaders need to address.
Data is powerful. When it is reliable and accurate it tells us truths about ourselves that we should pay attention to, no matter which way the arrow points. Our goal in this initiative is to provide clarity on the things that are holding us back, recognize progress where we see it, and highlight the challenges we must overcome to make Louisiana the dynamic and prosperous state we all know it should be.