[ Southern politicians claim that “business-friendly” policies
lead to an abundance of jobs and economic prosperity for all
Southerners. The data actually show a grim economic reality. ]
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ROOTED IN RACISM AND ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION  
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Chandra Childers
October 11, 2023
Economic Policy Institute
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_ Southern politicians claim that “business-friendly” policies
lead to an abundance of jobs and economic prosperity for all
Southerners. The data actually show a grim economic reality. _

, Economic Policy Institute

 

Read the full report
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Key findings

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The share of prime-age workers (ages 25–54) who have a job is lower
than the national average in most Southern states.

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Median earnings in nine Southern states are among the lowest in the
nation, _even after adjusting for lower cost of living in the South_.

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Poverty rates in most Southern states are above the national average.
In Louisiana and Mississippi, nearly 1 in 5 residents live in poverty.

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The child poverty rate in the South is 20.9%—higher than in any
other region.

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These statistics reflect an anti-worker economic model whose signature
policies are low wages, low taxes, few regulations on businesses, few
labor protections, a weak safety net, and vicious opposition to
unions.

Why this matters

A long history of anti-worker policies in the South—rooted in a
racist agenda—has had devastating consequences for its residents.
Business interests and the wealthy have stoked racial divisions to
maintain power and ensure access to cheap labor—at the expense of
working people.

How to fix it

We must begin to reverse 150 years of anti-worker policymaking in the
South—starting with raising minimum wages and protecting workers’
right to organize. We also need to enforce appropriate regulations on
business practices, reform a broken tax structure, and strengthen the
safety net for Southerners.

* the South
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* anti-union
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* racist politics
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