European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 7, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                R ill Iii Swyton pin in downtown Dan Var won product of an economic Boom period in the Watt that hit come to to end tha Nylon it marked today 6y of lining of population growth Perlt tent problems in major Intuit rules and riling doubts about the future. N a Vowk Tir tort a two hard times out by Robert Lindsey new York times he buoyant Opidi Mislick american West whose economic growth has outpaced tha nation Over much of the past 20 years has begun the new year lacing a new set of realities declining population growth persistent problems in important industries and growing apprehension about the future. The same forces that led of economic resurgence in parts of the Northeast and lha Industrial Middle West notably reduced inflation and lower prices Lor Oil food and Many other commodities have brought hard limes in the West according to economists and Western political leaders. Much of the West is in the throes of a profound and permanent reorientation said Harold t. Gross an economist who with Bernard l Weinstein. A colleague at Southern methodist University conducted a study of the Region s economic problems Tor the Western governors association. In Colorado Idaho. Montana new Mexico Utah Wyoming and other Western Stales Public officials say reduced mining Oil and Gas production and persistent problems in agriculture have slashed tax problems for state and local government s. Even in California whose size and economic diversity set it apart m Many ways from owner Western states an unexpectedly sluggish Economy is getting most of the blame Lor a projected Defiol of More than $600 million in its fiscal year ending june 30. The deficit is expected to exhaust much of the state s is billion emergency fund. The West is still attracting immigrants from Many ports of tha nation and the world ii can boast Many symbols of Prosperity from the Plush shops tilled with Well to do shoppers on Rodeo drive in Beverly Hills to the suburban fringes of Phoenix Ariz where bulldozers Are knocking Down Sagebrush and Cactus to make room for new Homes. But beneath Itie veneer of Prosperity experts see growing signs of fundamental economic problems that they say Are rooted in Over dependence on agriculture natural resources end Pentagon contracts. Westerners after outpacing most americans in the 1970s in the Rise of per capita income. Aie now lagging behind the National average according to economists except for California and Arizona population growth in the 16 Western states has fallen sharply in the past three years and the census Bureau reported last week that in 1986 population declined in Idaho Montana Nebraska North Dakota and Wyoming. What is playing out in the 1980s," Gross said is she reversal of forces that benefited the Region during the 1970s." he said 1fiat he found hat in the 9rt i the Wes benefited disproportionally from the nation s High rate of inflation because the prices pad Lor Lood minerals. Oil and other commodities it produced Rose faster than the prices westerners were paying for finished products. The result 1he study said was a substantial Transfer of real income from other sections of the u s. To the Western  the 1980s, in contrast. Has been a deflationary period with commodity p