Understanding Differential State Expansions Following the 1990-1991 and 2001 Recessions

This paper investigates the recoveries following the 1990-91 and 2001 recessions on a state by state and regional basis, and examines why different states and regions performed differently over these two expansions. The general conclusion of the study is that, when measured by a six-year Okun Gap contribution, the 50 states showed great variability follow-ing the 1990-91 recession and the 2001 recession. The results also indicate that the relative magnitude and variability were not the same for the two recessions, but states with higher relative levels of manufacturing were more likely to have had positive six-year Okun Gap contributions following both recessions.