Long was unique among southern populist leaders in that he achieved tangible progress.
T. Harry Williams concluded that "the secret of Long's power, in the final analysis, was not in his machine or his political dealings but in his record - he delivered something."
Robert Penn Warren stated it more bluntly: "Dictators, always give something for what they get."

As governor, Long created a public works program for Louisiana that was unprecedented in the South, constructing numerous roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and state buildings that have endured into the 21st century.
During his four years as governor, Long increased paved highways in Louisiana from 331 to 2,301 miles (533 to 3,703 km), plus an additional 2,816 miles (4,532 km) of gravel roads.
By 1936, the infrastructure program begun by Long had completed some 9,700 miles (15,600 km) of new roads, doubling the size of the state's road system.
He built 111 bridges and started construction on the first bridge over the Mississippi entirely in Louisiana, the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish, near New Orleans.
All of these projects provided thousands of much-needed jobs during the Great Depression, including 22,000—or 10 percent—of the nation's highway workers.
Including the Airline Highway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Long's road network gave Louisiana some of the most modern roads in the country and formed the state's highway system.
Long also constructed the Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
Long also built a new 
State Capitol, which at 450 feet tall remains the tallest capitol, state or federal, in the United States.
Upon its completion, Long claimed, "Only one building compares with [the Capitol] in architecture.
That’s St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Italy."
Long's massive infrastructure spending greatly increased the state government's debt.
From 1928 to 1935 it rose from 11 million to 150 million.

Long also became an ardent supporter of the state's primary public university, Louisiana State University (LSU).
Having been unable to attend, Long now regarded it as "his" university.
He greatly increased LSU's funding, expanded its enrollment, and authorized financial support for poorer students.
He also intervened in the university's affairs, choosing its president and expelling seven students who criticized him in the school newspaper.
He constructed several new buildings, including a field-house that reportedly contained the longest pool in the United States.
Long also founded a LSU Medical School in New Orleans.
Although he claimed it was to educate poor doctors, it may have been based on a personal vendetta against Tulane University, which had declined to grant him an honorary degree.
To generate excitement for the university, he converted the school's military marching band into a flashy "Show Band of the South".
Quadrupling the band's size, he also hired Costa Rican composer Castro Carazo as the band director.
Long worked with Carazo on several new songs, many of which are still played today.
Long expressed his avid support for the school's football program, nearly doubling the size of the stadium.
He would often tread the sidelines during football games and give locker-room talks to the team, even having the football team run a play he created on one occasion.
He also arranged for lowered train-fares so students could travel to out-of-town games.
Long's contributions resulted in LSU gaining a class A accreditation from the Association of American Universities.

Long's free textbooks, school-building program, and school busing improved and expanded the public education system.
His night schools taught 100,000 adults to read.
His provision of free textbooks resulted in a 20% increase in school enrollment.
He is also credited with establishing the first penitentiary-rehabilitation program in Louisiana history.
Long was unique among southern populist leaders in that he achieved tangible progress. T. Harry Williams concluded that "the secret of Long's power, in the final analysis, was not in his machine or his political dealings but in his record - he delivered something." Robert Penn Warren stated it more bluntly: "Dictators, always give something for what they get."
As governor, Long created a public works program for Louisiana that was unprecedented in the South, constructing numerous roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and state buildings that have endured into the 21st century. During his four years as governor, Long increased paved highways in Louisiana from 331 to 2,301 miles (533 to 3,703 km), plus an additional 2,816 miles (4,532 km) of gravel roads. By 1936, the infrastructure program begun by Long had completed some 9,700 miles (15,600 km) of new roads, doubling the size of the state's road system. He built 111 bridges and started construction on the first bridge over the Mississippi entirely in Louisiana, the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish, near New Orleans. All of these projects provided thousands of much-needed jobs during the Great Depression, including 22,000—or 10 percent—of the nation's highway workers. Including the Airline Highway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Long's road network gave Louisiana some of the most modern roads in the country and formed the state's highway system. Long also constructed the Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Long also built a new 
State Capitol, which at 450 feet tall remains the tallest capitol, state or federal, in the United States. Upon its completion, Long claimed, "Only one building compares with [the Capitol] in architecture. That’s St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Italy." Long's massive infrastructure spending greatly increased the state government's debt. From 1928 to 1935 it rose from 11 million to 150 million.
Long also became an ardent supporter of the state's primary public university, Louisiana State University (LSU). Having been unable to attend, Long now regarded it as "his" university. He greatly increased LSU's funding, expanded its enrollment, and authorized financial support for poorer students. He also intervened in the university's affairs, choosing its president and expelling seven students who criticized him in the school newspaper. He constructed several new buildings, including a field-house that reportedly contained the longest pool in the United States. Long also founded a LSU Medical School in New Orleans. Although he claimed it was to educate poor doctors, it may have been based on a personal vendetta against Tulane University, which had declined to grant him an honorary degree. To generate excitement for the university, he converted the school's military marching band into a flashy "Show Band of the South". Quadrupling the band's size, he also hired Costa Rican composer Castro Carazo as the band director. Long worked with Carazo on several new songs, many of which are still played today. Long expressed his avid support for the school's football program, nearly doubling the size of the stadium. He would often tread the sidelines during football games and give locker-room talks to the team, even having the football team run a play he created on one occasion. He also arranged for lowered train-fares so students could travel to out-of-town games. Long's contributions resulted in LSU gaining a class A accreditation from the Association of American Universities.
Long's free textbooks, school-building program, and school busing improved and expanded the public education system. His night schools taught 100,000 adults to read. His provision of free textbooks resulted in a 20% increase in school enrollment. He is also credited with establishing the first penitentiary-rehabilitation program in Louisiana history.
Huey Long