Latest News on Iowa Jobs
Iowa Job Gains Washed Away in June — Floods Not Whole Story
Jobless Rate Hits 4 Percent — Highest Since January 2006

June flooding and other economic setbacks wiped out late-spring gains in Iowa nonfarm jobs, contributing to an already sluggish job performance for Iowa in 2008. News release 7/18/08

New from the IPP
Grounds for Confusion
Iowa Distorts Assessment of Farm Property

Farm buildings and farmland need to be assessed and taxed separately as a first step toward a more understandable and fair system of assessing Iowa farm property. The current system is outdated and doesn’t reflect the productivity of modern agricultural operations, say authors of a new Iowa Fiscal Partnership report. Report, executive summary (4 pg), news release 7/17/08

Energy Efficiency and Iowa's Economy
Smart Energy Strategies Can Save Iowans and Spur State Economy

Saving money on energy means more is available for other things — and that’s a boost to the Iowa economy. When the state is in a rebuilding mode, are business leaders and policy makers paying attention? Report, news release 7/16/08

The 7-Cent Swipe
Iowa Windfall: Grocers' Subsidy from Food Stamp Transactions Challenged

Iowa retailers receive a 7-cent fee on every Food Stamp purchase — unlike other electronic transactions, and unlike any other state. Like many generous Iowa business subsidies, its public benefits are not evident. Backgrounder, news release 6/9/08

Climate Policy Can Protect Low-Income Iowans
Meeting in Council Bluffs is Opportunity to Focus on Efficiency, Clean Jobs

Enhancing Iowa’s leadership in energy efficiency while promoting better-paying “clean” jobs can help Iowa respond to the challenge of climate change. News release 6/9/08

A Step Backward in TIF Reform
No Debate — Sales-Tax TIF OK'd, Ignoring Policy Problems

Gov. Culver OK'd a radical departure from Iowa tax policy, so cities can divert local-option sales-tax money without approval of voters or other jurisdictions that could have expected the funds. Neither the governor nor legislators said why. News release 5/21/08

Helping Whom? Federal Policy Choices and Iowa
Holding Taxpayers Harmless from Inflation
AMT Isn't the Only Game in Town — Child Tax Credit Fix Would Help 99,000-Plus

Almost 100,000 Iowa children would benefit from House-passed improvements in the federal Child Tax Credit if adopted in legislation to keep expiring tax breaks in place. IFP news release 7/3/08

Congress Usurping Local Decisions on Property Tax?
Just When Local Officials Consider Flood, Storm Impacts, Proposal Raises Questions

These are tough times for many Iowans. A proposal in Congress might seem to offer help with a property tax credit -- but it would deny help to Iowans facing the most difficult financial challenges from floods, tornadoes and mortgage foreclosures. Iowa Fiscal Partnership Perspective (one-pager) 6/24/08

Farm Bill: Nutrition Help for 82,000-Plus Iowans
Congress-Passed Farm Bill Has Nutrition Improvements

An estimated 82,000 Iowans will benefit from two key Food Stamp improvements in the newly approved Farm Bill. News release 5/14/08 Letter in The Des Moines Register 5/22/08

Comfort for the Comfortable
Capital Gains, Dividends Tax Cuts Go to Wealthiest

Capital-gains and dividend tax cuts heavily benefit the wealthiest Iowans, a new Citizens for Tax Justice report shows. Middle-income Iowans couldn't buy a tank of gas for what they would receive. News release 5/13/08

Real Stimulus: Continuing Search for the Right Target
Food Stamps, Jobless Benefits and State Fiscal Relief Best Bets to Spark Economy

On the heels of the latest job report of an 80,000-U.S. nonfarm job loss in March, stimulus efforts may intensify in Congress. What is the best approach, for the U.S. and Iowa? Backgrounder 4/7/08

Climate Change and Public Policy
IPP's David Osterberg discussed climate-change policy on Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Journal" program. Spring 2008

Growing Green: Policy and Progress in Iowa

Renewable Energy Expansion Isn't an Accident

Public policy has made a difference in the growing development of renewable energy. IPP's David Osterberg explains why in this short documentary by the University of Iowa's Soheil Rezayazdi.

Energy Efficiency: Iowa Can Strive to Lead Nationally
Iowa falls short on its energy efficiency goals, and its potential. Full report, executive summary and news release

Issues in Focus with IPP
Pesky Issues with Iowa Tax Policy — Iowa Fiscal Partnership
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Tax Loopholes: Scare Tactics
Firms might whine - but they won't leave.
News release, and more

Tax-Increment FinancingIPP's Peter Fisher on
'The Iowa Journal,' IPTV

Also, Radio Iowa story

EZ Money
'Monster'

Enterprise
Zone
Program

needs reform.
Report, Release

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Iowa Trends in Economic Opportunity
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Read 'Pulling Apart'

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