State Economy 2 DAs

8/14/2019 State Economy 2 DAs

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Arizona Debate Institute 2008 FellowsState Economy DAs non-Iowa

State Economy (Non-Iowa) DA Index

State Economy (Non-Iowa) DA Index...........................................................................................................1Florida Economy DA ***Sugar***..............................................................................................................21NC - Florida Economy DA..........................................................................................................................3

Uniqueness - Florida Econ High....................................................................................................................4Arkansas Economy DA ***Cotton***..........................................................................................................51NC - Arkansas Economy DA ......................................................................................................................6Uniqueness Arkansas Econ High................................................................................................................7Links - Cotton ................................................................................................................................................8North Dakota Economy DA ***Sugar Beets***...........................................................................................91NC North Dakota Economy DA............................................................................................................10Uniqueness North Dakota Econ High.......................................................................................................11Massachusetts Economy DA ***Fisheries***............................................................................................121NC Massachusetts Economy DA............................................................................................................13North Carolina Economy DA ***CAFOs***.............................................................................................141NC North Carolina Economy DA ..........................................................................................................15*** AFF*** North Carolina ........................................................................................................................17Uniqueness North Carolina Econ Low .....................................................................................................18*** AFF*** California ................................................................................................................................19***AFF *** Florida ....................................................................................................................................21Uniqueness Florida Econ Low .................................................................................................................22Uniqueness Florida Econ Low .................................................................................................................23Florida Economy Link Turns ...................................................................................................................24*** AFF*** Massachusetts .........................................................................................................................25Uniqueness Massachusetts Econ Low ......................................................................................................26Link Turns - Cotton......................................................................................................................................27*** AFF*** North Dakota ..........................................................................................................................28.....................................................................................................................................................................28Uniqueness North Dakota Econ Low .......................................................................................................29***AFF *** Arkansas .................................................................................................................................30Uniqueness Arkansas Econ Low ..............................................................................................................31

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Florida Economy DA ***Sugar***

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Uniqueness - Florida Econ High

Florida econ high

Kauffmannn 08(Chris, staff writer, Orlando Business Journal, 07/11,

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/07/14/story2.html)The worst of the state's recession is over. So says Evangelos Otto Simos, chief economist for Durham, N.H.-basedInfometrica. His firm runs e-forecasting.com, which just issued a new report saying Florida's leading economic indicatorsshowed improvement in May, for the second straight month. And that, Simos says, may signal the bottom of the economiccycle has come and gone. "The economy is still not good, but it won't become worse than it is. It's the beginning of theturnaround."

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http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/07/14/story2.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/07/14/story2.html


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Arkansas Economy DA ***Cotton***

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1NC - Arkansas Economy DA

(A) Uniqueness Arkansas econ high

Stevens 08(Laura, $500 million pipeline in the works, Arkansas Online, July 1)Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP has started building a 167-mile, $500 million pipeline to take natural gas from the FayettevilleShale in north-central Arkansas to market. A peak of about 1,300 people will be employed in Arkansas during the construction,which is expected to be complete early next year. Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart estimated at a news conference Mondaymorning that 250 Arkansans thus far are employed by the project, which began construction in May. The payroll is anestimated $57 million. The Fayetteville Shale, a natural-gas formation that stretches from north-central Arkansas to theMississippi River, is expected to have a $22 billion impact on the Arkansas economy between 2005 and 2012, according to astudy by the University of Arkansas. However, state officials have said that number may be exaggerated. Originally announcedin December 2006, Houston-based Boardwalk's pipeline was expected to cost $360 million. Since then, the price tag has goneup because of increased labor and materials costs, said Mike Mc-Mahon, senior vice president and general counsel forBoardwalk. "Since we've experienced increases in prices on some of the other projects we've completed, we're estimating alittle bit higher than what we first reported on costs," McMahon said during a phone interview Monday. Gov. Mike Beebetoured the construction site in Center Ridge on Monday morning. "Not just for this area, but for the whole state, this is jobs; it'semployment," he said. "It's the opportunity for people to make money and spend money. That helps the retailers - that helps

every aspect of the Arkansas economy." Boardwalk's Fayetteville Lateral pipeline is part of an almost $5 billion investment tolink unconventional natural-gas sources to the company's already established main transportation lines.

(B) Link - Farm subsidies key to Arkansas economy

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 05(Cotton farmers hit by 1-2 punch Arkansas stung by Bush subsidy plans, WTO trade ruling, March 13)The National Cotton Council has cautioned that "reductions in U.S. agricultural support, prior to the completion ofinternational trade negotiations, is the equivalent of unilateral disarmament." Randy Veach, a Mississippi County cotton farmerfrom Manila, said he believes the trade and budget issues are linked and that the outcome of the negotiations could have asignificant impact on Arkansas. "There's no doubt that Congress and the administration are trying to make [farm] payments`greener' and less tied to markets and to production," which would facilitate WTO compliance, Veach said. Many observersbelieve "greener" farm programs, which would reward farmers for conservation and environmental performance, would bepreferable to programs that reward them for agricultural productivity. The University of Arkansas has estimated that Bush'sproposed budget reductions would mean $200 million less in farm subsidies for Arkansas during 2006, farmer Veach said."That would cripple the agriculture economy in Arkansas."

( C) Impacts - Arkansas economy key to global economy

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Uniqueness Arkansas Econ High

Arkansas economy is growing strong now

The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 04-23-08 (Business leaders say Ark. economy has its strong pointsApril 23, 2008 lexisnexis)The Arkansas economy has some soft spots, such as in sectors related to new home construction, but business leaders say thestate has the elements in place to bounce back from the current slowdown. Randy Zook, a deputy director of the ArkansasEconomic Development Commission, said direct investment from overseas will continue to help add jobs to the state. Speakingat the spring economic forecast conference by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Zook cited manufacturers that haverecently set up shop in Little Rock. LM Glasfiber is building a $150 million plant at the Little Rock port where it will makewindmill blades to supply the wind power industry. The company has already started production at a temporary site in southLittle Rock. Other companies include two pipe manufacturers, Welspun Group Inc. and Man Industries Ltd., both of India.Welspun and Man each say they expect to spend $100 million for plants at the Arkansas River port. With the closure of a meatplant that burned in Booneville, that city is coping with the loss of 800 jobs, though there is a chance the plant may reopen. "Ifyou're in Booneville right now, you're not in a recession, you're in a depression," Zook said. He said the situation is similar inPrescott, where a Potlatch Corp. mill has closed, putting about 180 people out of work. Forest products and businesses relate tonew home construction are taking it on the chin because of the slowdown. But Zook said the foundation is solid. "Those things

are going to come back," Zook said. "The industry will work off the unsold inventory." Zook said there are some clear brightspots for Arkansas, including the income that row crop farmers are expecting due to high prices for commodities such assoybeans, rice and corn. Plus, there is the development of the Fayetteville Shale play.

Arkansass economy is up now

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 04-23-08 (DAVID SMITH Economist: Recession is here He says subprime mortgagemarket biggest contributor April 23, 2008, lexisnexis)"Even in November, there was a wide range of people who were very optimistic that this economy was going to grow at a rateof about 2 percent a year," Goho said. "But I believe the economic growth is not there. I don't expect an economic collapse, butI think there will be serious economic turmoil." Arkansas' economy is doing relatively well, according to businessmen whoalso spoke at the conference at the Little Rock Hilton - Robert Smith, senior vice president at Dassault Falcon Jet; ThomasSchueck, chairman of Lexicon Inc. of Little Rock; Danny Games, director of corporate development at Chesapeake Energy;and Randy Zook, deputy director of administration and finance at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. But aproblem facing companies and the state is finding qualified workers. Smith said Falcon Jet has 200 high-paying jobs available,but cannot find people to fill them. Schueck said Lexicon, which is the parent for Schueck Steel, has had to develop a programwhere it trains workers because there are no qualified people to hire. Games said Chesapeake has dozens of jobs for workers onnatural-gas drilling rigs that pay $55,000 and up, but it has to have people trained at community colleges in Beebe and Poteau,Okla., to fill them. Zook noted that there are about 75,000 Arkansans who are unemployed, and there are likely 75,000 jobsavailable across the state. The problem is that the 75,000 unemployed Arkansans aren't qualified to fill the available jobs, Zooksaid.

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Links - Cotton

Farm subsides key to Arkansas economy

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 05(Cotton farmers hit by 1-2 punch Arkansans stung by Bush subsidy plans, WTO trade ruling, 03/13, Lexis)Given U.S. cotton's increasing dependence on exports, the World Trade Organization's cotton ruling has an added significance.But Seth Meyer, an agricultural economist at the University of Missouri, doesn't expect to see any immediate changes in U.S.cotton subsidies. "There is no WTO police force which comes in and makes us change our rules," Meyer said, although Brazileventually could be authorized to invoke retaliatory trade measures. The 301-page WTO appeals decision, which followed aninitial 370-page ruling, is still being reviewed by U.S. trade officials and cotton-industry leaders. But Meyer said the appealsbody "refused to answer" or quantify a number of issues, thus making it difficult to determine what penalties might beappropriate. "There's really no short-term motivation to make some correction today," he said. The National Cotton Council hascautioned that "reductions in U.S. agricultural support, prior to the completion of international trade negotiations, is theequivalent of unilateral disarmament." Randy Veach, a Mississippi County cotton farmer from Manila, said he believes thetrade and budget issues are linked and that the outcome of the negotiations could have a significant impact on Arkansas."There's no doubt that Congress and the administration are trying to make [farm] payments `greener' and less tied to marketsand to production," which would facilitate WTO compliance, Veach said. Many observers believe "greener" farm programs,which would reward farmers for conservation and environmental performance, would be preferable to programs that reward

them for agricultural productivity. The University of Arkansas has estimated that Bush's proposed budget reductions wouldmean $200 million less in farm subsidies for Arkansas during 2006, farmer Veach said. "That would cripple the agricultureeconomy in Arkansas." Eric Wailes, an agricultural economist at the University of Arkansas, said farm subsidies have increasedthe value of farmland and a drop in subsidies could reverse that trend.

Cotton subsidies key to Arkansas econ

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 05(Cotton farmers hit by 1-2 punch Arkansans stung by Bush subsidy plans, WTO trade ruling, 03/13, Lexis)Although Arkansas' planted cotton acreage fell in 2004 to a 10-year low of 910,000 acres, a record yield of 1,112 pounds peracre boosted the state's production to an all-time high of 2.1 million bales of cotton fiber. The 795 tons of cottonseed produced

was exceeded only in 1937. Arkansas' 2004 season-average cotton price of 55.9 cents per pound meant that the state's cottonfiber was worth $488.4 million. The cottonseeds were worth an additional $77.5 million. For the 10 th straight year, cotton wasArkansas' third-most important row crop in terms of production value. The state's 2004 rice crop, worth $768.2 million, andsoybean crop, worth $690.6 million, ranked first and second. Cotton also ranked third in terms of 2004 planted acreage inArkansas. Soybeans ranked first at 3.2 million acres and rice second at 1.6 million acres.

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North Dakota Economy DA ***Sugar Beets***

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1NC North Dakota Economy DA

(A) Uniqueness North Dakota econ high

Moore 08

(Delbert, Weak dollar has benefits for economy, In-Forum, July 27)The new parity of the Canadian dollar with ours has greatly increased the number of Canadians shopping and vacationingin North Dakota, which is of immense advantage to our economy. North Dakota has increased foreign exports ofagricultural machinery from about

(B) Link subsidies key to North Dakota economy

Conrad 08(Agriculture, http://conrad.senate.gov/issues/agriculture.cfm)"Agriculture is the backbone of North Dakota's economy, and it is important that we build upon the successes of the 2002 FarmBill as we write a new Farm Bill this year. We need to maintain and improve current commodity programs and look for newways to further tie energy in with the crops we grow. I was proud to be one of four chief negotiators during the last Farm Bill,and I look forward to producing new legislation that will continue to help North Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and ruralcommunities."

(C) Impacts North Dakota agriculture key

North Dakotas economy historically has been closely tied to natural resource-intensive industries, particularly agriculture.Since about 1980, problems in the farm sector, including low commodity prices and adverse weather, have contributed to thelong-term trend of declining farm numbers. During the same period, the percentage of the states population living in urbanplaces (i.e., towns with 2,500 or more residents) has grown from 45.6 percent in 1980 to 53.3 percent in 1990 and 55.0 percentin 2000. These trends suggest some restructuring of the states economy may have occurred. Economic development anddiversification have long been priorities for North Dakota policy makers. During the1990s, developing agricultural productsprocessing facilities within the state was a major economic development initiative. Farm input manufacturing also has becomean important component of North Dakotas manufacturing sector, as several input manufacturers began or expanded operationsduring the 1990s. The purpose of this report is to assess the role of agriculture in the North Dakota economy, as well as recentchanges in the states economic structure. Key indicators used in the analysis include sales for final demand (i.e., sales to out-of-state markets), gross state product (value added), and employment for each economic sector.

(2) Agriculture key to US econ (Insert card from Starter Set)

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http://conrad.senate.gov/issues/agriculture.cfmhttp://conrad.senate.gov/issues/agriculture.cfm


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Uniqueness North Dakota Econ High

Econ high health care

Bismack Tribune 08(Economy still strong in North Dakota, July 16,www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/07/16/news/opinion/editorials/160293.txt)Sales tax receipts give one indication of the health of a state's economy. North Dakotans continue to spend. The healthyeconomy has been sustained for a remarkable 20 consecutive quarters, five years of each quarter showing more sales thanthe previous year's equivalent period. In the first quarter of 2008, sales of $2.42 billion in the state indicated an increase of12.9 percent from the same time the year before. Bismarck's increase was right at 6 percent.

Econ high

Hagenbaugh 08(Barbara, Hows the economy in your hometown? USA Today, 3/6)While higher farm prices are leading to rising prices in grocery stores, the gains are providing a big boost to areas wheregrains are grown, such as regions of North and South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Not only are the higher priceshelping farmers, but they also are boosting sales of companies that sell to farmers, such as John Deere. (DE) The Moline,Ill.-based company said last month it expects sales of equipment such as tractors and combines to rise approximately 17%in 2008.

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http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/07/16/news/opinion/editorials/160293.txthttp://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/07/16/news/opinion/editorials/160293.txt


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1NC Massachusetts Economy DA

(A)Uniqueness Massachusetts econ high

Gavin 08(Robert T. State far outpacing US economy, report says, The Boston Globe, April 30)

The Massachusetts economy, buoyed by the technology sector, grew about five times faster than the nation's in the firstthree months of the year, the University of Massachusetts reported. The state's economy expanded at 3.2 percent annualrate in the first quarter, UMass said, while the US economy grew only slightly -- at a 0.6 percent annual rate, according tothe Commerce Department.

(B) Link subsidies key to Mass economy

Patrick and Murray 08June 9, Gov. Deval L., Lieutenant Gov. Timothy P. "Governor Patrick Announces $13.4 Million in Relief Funds for FishingIndustry"

"The over 1500 miles of Massachusetts coastlines and the communities it includes are not just part of our history and identity

but a vital part of our economy," said Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray. "The preservation and promotion of our fishingindustry is an important part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's economic agenda." "The Massachusetts fishing industry isa vital part of the Commonwealth's economy," Senator Kennedy's spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner said. "Senator Kennedy isdelighted that this long overdue relief is finally being made available to the fishermen. Those who have been harmed by thereductions in their days at sea mandated by Framework 42 should contact the Division of Marine Fisheries to apply for thiswell-deserved assistance." "Thousands of Massachusetts fishermen are finally getting the urgent relief they need," said SenatorKerry. "I am happy that as a result of the all of our hard work we are able to deliver the financial assistance that will enablethousands of our fishermen to get back on their feet and allow for the survival of one of our state's most significant and storiedindustries." "I am pleased the federal government recognized the importance of helping a vital industry in the Commonwealthwhile we all work to create a long-term fisheries management plan that truly works," said House Speaker Salvatore F.DiMasi. "Governor Patrick, Secretary Bowles, Senate President Murray, legislators representing coastal regions and ourcongressional delegation deserve our praise and thanks for their continued hard work on this important issue."

(C) Impacts Mass econ key to US econ

Boston Foundation 08(Economyhttp://www.tbf.org/IndicatorsProject/Economy/Default.aspx)

Boston anchors a regional economy of more than five million people that extends from Southern New Hampshire toWorcester and Cape Cod making up the US Census Bureaus "Boston-Worcester-Manchester Consolidated StatisticalArea," the nations 7th largest metro area. At slightly fewer than 600,000 inhabitants, Boston is the 22nd largest US city,yet it has one of the nations highest concentrations of jobs and income, doubling its population each day as commutersflow into the city to work. Among US cities with populations between 500,000 and one million, Boston ranks 2nd in itsratio of jobs to residents. With its historic character, world-class museums, reinvigorated cultural sector, vibrantneighborhoods, extensive public transit, new Convention and Exhibition Center, beautiful natural surroundings,international airport and deep-water port, Boston is a destination for immigrants, tourists and business visitors alike, and

the gateway to New England. Bostons competitive advantages lie in research and development emerging from the areasinstitutions of higher education and health care, and in financial, governmental, business, professional and humanservices, a beautiful physical infrastructure, culture of innovation and skilled workforce. Revitalized neighborhoodbusiness districts reflect Community Development Corporation(CDC) activity, the Citys Main Streets Initiative and aspate of new supermarkets, while major new commercial and mixed-use development is transforming many parts of thecity.

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http://www.tbf.org/IndicatorsProject/Economy/Default.aspxhttp://www.tbf.org/IndicatorsProject/Economy/Default.aspxhttp://www.tbf.org/IndicatorsProject/Economy/Default.aspx


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North Carolina Economy DA ***CAFOs***

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1NC North Carolina Economy DA

(A) Uniqueness North Carolina econ high

UNCC 08

(Economist Expects States Economy to Grow in 2008, Despite Lags at National Level, UNC Charlotte)The North Carolina economy is expected to continue its seventh year of economic expansion in 2008, according to UNCCharlotte economist John E. Connaughton, who released his quarterly forecast for the state today

(B) Link subsidies key to North Carolina economy

Missouri Rural Crisis Center 05(The facts abut CAFOs http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/ra05/mlc3_05.html)It matters who is producing the Livestock: corporate controlled livestock factories or independent family farms whospend their $s locally, create jobs and know how to be good neighbors.A Missouri study found that corporate contractoperations create a net loss of employment. While creating 9 jobs for every 12,000 hogs produced, corporate contractoperations displace 28 jobs. When comparing an equal number of sows on corporate contract operations versus family

farms, the family farm system creates: 10% more permanent jobs, a 20% larger increase in local retail sales and a 37%larger increase in local income per capita. The number of farmers raising hogs is more important than the number ofhogs being produced. Corporate concentration in the hog industry does not benefit consumers or independentproducers. In the last 15 years, hog numbers in Missouri have stayed the same (2,700,000), while the number of hogfarmers has decreased 85% from 15,000 to 2,200. From 1985-2005, the retail price of pork increased 75% from $1.62to $2.83. During the same period, the hog producers share of the retail dollar decreased 30% from $.44 to $.31.Comparing a CAFO County to a Health Ordinance Protected County: From 1996 to June 2006, the unemploymentrate in Linn County decreased by 0.6% while the unemployment rate in neighboring Sullivan County increased bynearly 2.0%. Since Linn County enacted its health ordinance in 1997, its general revenue sales tax has increased22%--without raising taxes. In comparison, according to the Sullivan County Clerk, the financial condition of thecounty continues to decline at an alarming pace. If our sales tax revenues dont recover soon, our 2006 budget will bedoomed. CAFOs do not translate into Grain Production for Local Communities: A comparison between the threecounties that produce the most CAFO hogs and three counties that have two or fewer CAFOs shows an increase ingrain production in the non-CAFO counties of 6.21 million bushels while the CAFO counties show a decrease in grain

production by 2.94 million bushels between 1985 and 2004.

(C) Impacts North Carolina economy key to US econ

Goodman 07(Peter S. In N.C. A Second Industrial Revolution, Washington Post, September 3)Until the late 1950s, the low-slung brick building in the center of this minuscule town was home to the Kayser-Rothhosiery mill. Some 400 workers tended to clattering looms, churning out pantyhose. "It was the best employer in town,"said Nancy May, a former worker. The hosiery mill is gone now, along with much of the Carolina textile industry -- acasualty of the global reordering that has concentrated production in Asia and Latin America. But the old brick building isstill here and still making products -- albeit modern varieties that could scarcely have been imagined a half-century ago:Today, the site is occupied by a biotechnology company, Biolex Therapeutics. Inside, 90 workers harness expensivelaboratory equipment and a plant called duckweed, a bane to local ponds, to develop a drug for a serious liver ailment.Even the lowest-paid lab technician takes home far more than the seamstresses earned. If the start-up succeeds, its productwill be substantially more lucrative than pantyhose. As lawmakers pursue legislation aimed at softening the blow fromfactory closures, and as the downside of trade emerges as a talking point in the 2008 presidential campaign, it might seemthat manufacturing is a dying part of the U.S. economy. But the retooling of this old brick building on Credle Streetunderscores how, despite its oft-pronounced demise, American manufacturing is in many regards stronger than ever. TheUnited States makes more manufactured goods today than at any time in history, as measured by the dollar value ofproduction adjusted for inflation -- three times as much as in the mid-1950s, the supposed heyday of American industry.Between 1977 and 2005, the value of American manufacturing swelled from $1.3 trillion to an all-time record $4.5trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. With less than 5 percent of the world's population, the UnitedStates is responsible for almost one-fourth of global manufacturing, a share that has changed little in decades. The UnitedStates is the largest manufacturing economy by far. Japan, the only serious rival for that title, has been losing ground.

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http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/ra05/mlc3_05.htmlhttp://www.inmotionmagazine.com/ra05/mlc3_05.html


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China has been growing but represents only about one-tenth of world manufacturing. But if the big picture is brighter thanmany realize, American manufacturing is nevertheless undergoing fundamental change that is exerting enormous pressureon workers. Imports are rising, now representing a third of all manufactured goods consumed in the country, up from 10percent in the 1970s. American exports are rising even faster than imports, but companies face intense price competition,with China, India, Brazil and dozens of other low-wage countries now part of a global marketplace for labor andmaterials. Manufacturers are redesigning production lines to make them more efficient, substituting machinery for peoplewherever possible. So while American manufacturing is not declining, manufacturing employment has been shrinking

dramatically. After peaking in 1979 at 19 million workers, the American manufacturing workforce has since dropped to14 million, the lowest number since 1950. A stark educational divide has emerged on the factory floor, as skills andtraining separate winners from losers. In 1973, more than half of all American manufacturing workers failed to completehigh school, and only 6 percent attended some college, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. By 2001,nearly half completed high school and one-fourth attended some college. North Carolina encapsulates the forces remakingAmerican manufacturing. Between 2002 and 2005, the state lost 72,000 manufacturing jobs, about three-fourths intextiles, furniture-making and electronics, according to the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development. Atthe same time, the state has become a rising powerhouse in lucrative new manufacturing sectors such as biotechnology,pharmaceuticals and sophisticated textiles.

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*** AFF*** North Carolina

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*** AFF*** California

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Uniqueness Cali Econ Low

Econ low

Zuckerman 07

(Sam, staff writer, Reports predict dismal year for California economy, San Fran Chronicle, December 6)California's economy will turn ugly in the year ahead as the housing crunch takes a big bite out of jobs and widens the statebudget deficit, two new reports project.The quarterly UCLA Anderson Forecast predicts the state will barely avoid recession,with non-farm jobs growing just 0.5 percent in 2008, down from 1.3 percent this year. The unemployment rate will rise to 6.1percent by the second half of next year and remain at that elevated level for most of 2009, according to UCLA.

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***AFF *** Florida

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Uniqueness Florida Econ Low

Floridas Economy low- weather, housing, lack of energy growth

Tampa Bay Business Journal ,07/31,08, Tampa Bay Business Journal(http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/07/28/daily45.html)TECO Energy Inc. said second quarter net income was $51.4 million, or 24 cents a share, compared to $73.7 million, or35 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2007. Revenue for the three months ended June 30 was $887.2 million,compared to $866.5 million in the same period a year earlier. The results for the quarter reflect benefits of the TECOEnergy debt retirements, Sherrill Hudson, chairman and chief executive, said in a release. TECO Guatemala producedstrong results, he said. Earnings from TECO Coal were lower than expected due to production costs impacting the entireindustry, but Hudson said the prices in new sales contract will drive growth in earnings from the coal business next year.Our Florida utilities benefited from better weather than last year, but the continued weak Florida economy and housingmarket limited customer and energy sales growth. Various forecasts earlier in the year indicated that the housing marketwas expected to bottom out in 2008, but the credit and housing issues appear to be deeper and more protracted than wereforecast even a few months ago, Hudson said. Tampa Electric, the companys principal subsidiary, posted net income forthe second quarter of $40.2 million, compared with $34.7 million for the same period in 2007, according to the release.TECO Energy also reduced its earnings guidance for the rest of 2008. The company now said it expects 2008 earningsfrom continuing operations to be in a range between 80 cents and 90 cents a share, down from the earlier outlook in a

range of 95 cents to $1.10 a share. TECO Energy (NYSE: TE), based in Tampa, is an energy-related holding company.

Housing market is down because weak economy

Susan R. Miller, 07/29/08, South Florida Business Journal, Associate Director, Information Services and Systems(http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2008/07/28/daily21.html?q=Florida%20economy)The news remains grim for South Floridas housing market, with numerous factors in play that continue to stave off arecovery in sales of new and existing homes. A week economy, higher energy prices and bad news coming from financialmarkets are keeping potential buyers at bay, according to a report released Tuesday by Metrostudy. While buildercutbacks and discounted pricing are having an effect on reducing the inventory of homes, the tightening of creditstandards has removed a sizable number of formerly qualified buyers from the market, and the uncertainty surroundingFannie Mae and Freddie Mac represents additional financial market problems, said Mike Inselmann, president ofMetrostudy, a national housing tracking and consulting company. Although the number of new homes being builtcontinues to decline, the supply of finished vacant homes remained at a record 6.1 months as the annual pace of move-ins

slowed, according to the study. Quarterly housing starts for Miami-Dade County dropped from 384 units in the firstquarter of the year to 277 in the second quarter. Miami-Dade has an 11.3-month supply of total inventory. Meantime, thesupply of finished vacant single-family homes in Broward County subdivisions increased for the seventh consecutivequarter, from 1,131 during the first quarter to 1,229 during the second quarter the highest number in at least a decade.This represents a 7.6-month supply of homes on the market. In Palm Beach County, the number of vacant homes fell from1,236 at the end of the first quarter to 1,015 at the end of the second quarter, a 4.4-month supply. But the news is not allgrim, Inselmann noted. As these issues run their cycle, demographic trends keep marching forward, creating a pool ofpotential buyers who will express themselves in the market when credit normalcy and calmer consumer psychologyreturn, setting the stage for a decade of strong housing demand in the United States, he said. Its a matter of when, notif.

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Uniqueness Florida Econ Low

Floridas economy low

Adrian Burns, 07/25/08, Business First of Columbus,(http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/07/28/story4.html?q=Florida%20economy)

A market that once seemed like a banker's Valhalla for its fountain of growth is instead weighing heavily on the Ohio banksthat ventured there. A line of Midwestern banks in recent years traveled to Florida in an effort to tap the state's red-hot realestate market and robust economic growth. But the housing market there has turned ice cold and the state's economy hasdeclined with it - woes that are wreaking havoc for the banks that once had high hopes for their forays. Park National Corp.operated primarily in Ohio for decades and was known for miniscule loan losses and strong performance. But the Newark-based bank's loan losses have soared - and earnings have gone downhill - since it acquired Vision Bancshares Inc. of PanamaCity, Fla., in March of last year.

Florida economy is down

Greg Allen, 07/30/08, NPR, (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93081828)The economic downturn is taking a toll on the boating industry in Florida. With high fuel prices and expensive boat payments,many Floridians are finding it harder to use, sell and keep their boats. Take Black Point Marina, south of Miami onBiscayne Bay. Marina officials say as fuel prices have risen, traffic here has gotten lighter. For boater Hank Banalewicz, fuelcosts about twice as much as last summer. On a recent morning, he says it cost him $250 to take out a boat. Last year, when gaswas cheaper, it cost about $100 or $120. "Oh, it's totally ridiculous," he says. And as for boat traffic on the water? "Hardly anyboats . . . at all," he says. Banalewicz says he takes his boat out less frequently now, and when he does, he uses it differently.He cruises less and anchors more. That's the story in Florida and also in Michigan, California and other places whereboating is big. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state has more than a millionregistered vessels one boat for every 18 people. Von Skinner, a boat dealer who owns the Cozy Cove Marina near FortLauderdale, Fla., says the cost of fuel is also now becoming an issue with boat buyers. "Two years ago, no one even asked howmuch fuel it burns just how fast does it go, how many engines can I put on there?" Skinner says. "Now, of course, people arestarting to think more fuel economy. The speed ain't as important."

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Florida Economy Link Turns

Plan saves money

Bovard 98(James, author ofLost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty, The Great Sugar Shaft, The Future of FreedomFoundation, April)Since 1980, the sugar program has cost consumers and taxpayers the equivalent of more than $3 million for each Americansugar grower. Some people win the lottery; other people grow sugar. Congressmen justify the sugar program as protectingAmericans from the "roller-coaster of international sugar prices," as Rep. Byron Dorgan (D.-N.D.) declared. Unfortunately,Congress protects consumers from the roller-coaster by pegging American sugar prices on a level with the Goodyear blimpfloating far above the amusement park. U.S. sugar prices have been as high as or higher than world prices for 44 of the last 45years.

Saves money

Griswold et al 06(Daniel, Christopher Preble, and Stephen Slivinski, Six Reasons to Kill Farm Subsidies and Trade Barriers, Reason.com)

Domestic sugar protection has maintained a concentration of producers in central Florida who have used up water from theendangered Florida Everglades while spitting back phosphorous content far above the level consistent with maintaining thesurrounding ecosystem. The high runoff has seriously reduced periphyton, such as algae, that supports birds and other animallife. Congress has spent billions to repair the damage caused to the Everglades by the protected sugar industry. Farm programsalso waste scarce water resources, especially in the arid West. Agricultural water subsidies alone amount to around $2 billionannually, propping up such uneconomical enterprises as growing cotton in the Arizona desert.

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*** AFF*** Massachusetts

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Uniqueness Massachusetts Econ LowEcon low

Gavin 08

(Robert T. State far outpacing US economy, report says, The Boston Globe, April 30)Nonetheless, consumers are struggling, UMass analysts said. Falling home values combined with rising food and fuel costs arehurting confidence and spending. Consumer sectors, such as retail, are losing jobs. Retail employment has declined about 1percent over the last year, according to state figures. And continued weakness in housing and consumer spending will slow thestate's economic growth to an annual rate of about 2.5 percent over the next six months, according to UMass. At that rate ofexpansion, employment growth is likely to stall or decline, said Alan Clayton-Matthews, the UMass-Boston professor whocalculates the state economic growth rates.

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Link Turns - Cotton

Plan saves money

Chapman et al 06(Dan, Ken Foskett, and Megan Clarke, How savvy growers can double, or triple, subsidy dollars, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 2)Total paid to these 195 recipients: $353 million. The biggest check: $15.8 million to Riceland Foods of Arkansas, acooperative of 9,000 rice farmers. Circumventing limits -- $180,000 for an individual -- results in higher payouts to largergrowers, who can use the payments to leverage bigger loans to grow more crops. But smaller growers are placed at acompetitive disadvantage by a program once intended to keep them from losing their land.

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*** AFF*** North Dakota

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Uniqueness North Dakota Econ Low

North Dakota econ low

Creighton University 08(Rural Mainstreet Economy Declines to Record Low, May 15,www2.creighton.edu/publicrelations/newscenter/news/2008/may2008/may152008/rural_mainstreet_goss_051508/index.php)The RMI for North Dakota advanced to a healthy 56.6 from Aprils 50.1 and Marchs 50.5. However, retail sales were aweak 36.4 for May, reflecting what some see as a trend. Scott Tewksbury, CEO of Heartland State Bank in Edgeley, seeslarge-scale farming operations doing less business locally. The ban on corporate farming has not kept farm operationsfrom growing to large-scale size that may do less business with the Mainstreet economy. The ban has hampered financingefforts for large-scale, capital-intensive livestock operations in the state that could have added to the local economicbase.

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***AFF *** Arkansas

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Uniqueness Arkansas Econ Low

Arkansas economy low

Associated Press 08(Current Economy Affecting Farmers, July 22,www.4029tv.com)The rising cost of everything from fuel to feed is costing farmers big profits, so much so that its forcing some out ofbusiness. Arkansas farmers filled a Springdale convention center to talk about their trade. We raise half a millionchickens a year and 100 hundred head of cattle," said Kenny Womack who owns a farm in east Arkansas. Womack said hecame to the meeting to learn more about the current economy of the industry. From fuel to run tractors, to feed, prices areon the rise and profits are down. Womack says its leaving some farmers with a tough choice. "Go out of business or filebankruptcy, said Womack. The price to sell a head of cattle is down 25 to 30 cents a pound from last year. "Thirty centson a 600-pound calf, that's 150 less per calf," said Womack. Agriculture economists say it may be a rough road for a whilefor farmers for a while, but not forever. "We feel like we're in a temporary situation. Live stock numbers will go up,producers will catch up and corn prices will go down and hopefully people will have a pretty decent shot at makingmoney every year," said economist Jim Sartwelle.
http://www.4029tv.com/http://www.4029tv.com/http://www.4029tv.com/

State Economy 2 DAs

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