Common Sense Institute Iowa

Common Sense Institute Iowa (CSI) is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Iowa’s economy.

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Over the past 12 months, Iowa has lost 15,100 jobs (-0.9%), ranking 46th nationally in job growth. Only 4 of Iowa's 11 major sectors grew over the year: education & health services, construction, mining & logging, and other services. See the full analysis in CSI's April report: https://t.co/NovCfH45IE

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Policymakers should weigh not just the costs of card payment systems, but also the economic benefits they provide and the disruption that comes from interfering with them. Our latest analysis finds that artificially limiting interchange fees would mostly benefit a handful of large retailers while creating net negative downstream effects for Iowa's economy overall.

Learn more in the full report: https://t.co/VFscmrOClt
Read more about it: https://t.co/5mfURKD9XD

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Price increases remain broad-based across the Midwest. From April 2025 to April 2026, energy (15.7%), transportation (5.8%), fuels and utilities (5.7%), and apparel (5.4%) led the way, while durables (-0.3%) was the only major category to see deflation. Learn more in CSI's latest inflation report: https://t.co/ltW9IZJQVl

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Consumer prices in the Midwest are now 29.2% higher than in early 2020. As a result, the typical Iowa household is spending about $1,435 more per month—totaling over $54,000 in additional costs—just to maintain the same standard of living. Learn more in CSI's latest inflation report: https://t.co/ltW9IZJQVl

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

A new CSI Iowa report finds implementation costs for merchants alone could reach about $82 million under HSB 324, as businesses would likely need significant system and payment processing upgrades to comply with the law.

Meanwhile, projected merchant savings from restricting interchange fees on taxes collected during card transactions total about $36.2 million annually statewide.

For many smaller businesses, CSI finds it could take a decade or longer for those savings to outweigh the upfront costs.

Learn more: https://t.co/VFscmrOClt

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Iowa's labor market is showing signs of strain — job growth has slowed, and the labor force is tightening. The numbers tell the story.

CSI's Job and Labor Force Update: https://t.co/asXLYatsf8

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

CSI’s latest report examines the restriction of interchange fees under HSB 324.

Using macroeconomic modeling, CSI estimates the policy could reduce Iowa’s economy by:

➤ $67 million in economic output
➤ $42 million in GDP
➤ 350 jobs in the first year alone

Learn more: https://t.co/VFscmrOClt

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Inflation continued to build in April 2026. Year-over-year inflation rose to 4.1% in the Midwest—the highest level since April 2023—while the U.S. climbed to 3.8%, the highest since May 2023. Learn more in CSI's latest inflation report: https://t.co/cj79CXxLLM

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Who benefits from Iowa’s proposed interchange fee restrictions?

CSI Iowa finds the largest retailers would capture most of the savings from HSB 324:

➤ Just 8.5% of retailers would receive about 65% of total savings
➤ Meanwhile, the 42% of businesses (those with under $100,000 in annual taxable sales) would receive only about 2% of the savings

Learn more: https://t.co/VFscmrOClt

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Iowa's fertility rate has now spent nearly two decades below the replacement rate, and with domestic migration turning negative again in 2025, the state is increasingly reliant on international immigration to sustain its workforce and economy.

Learn more in the article:https://t.co/sDkaRCJgG4
Read CSI's report: https://t.co/cwakXHeoKw

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised Iowa's February 2026 non-farm employment down by 100 jobs. Iowa has shed 2,200 jobs in the first three months of 2026—the weakest first quarter performance of the post-pandemic period. Get the full details in CSI's latest update: https://t.co/U4fxbfRbbs

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Over the past 12 months, Iowa has lost 20,700 jobs (-1.3%), ranking 46th nationally in nominal job growth. Only 3 of Iowa's 11 major sectors grew over the last year: education & health services, mining & logging, and construction. See the full analysis in CSI's March report: https://t.co/U4fxbfRbbs

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Iowa's unemployment rate edged down to 3.3% in March—the 9th lowest nationally—while labor force participation slipped to 67.7%, still ranking 3rd in the U.S. Even as job counts continue to weaken, Iowa's workforce remains among the most active and employed in the country. Learn more in CSI's latest update: https://t.co/U4fxbfRbbs

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Iowa is joining a growing national movement. At least a dozen public and private universities have opened civics centers with similar missions over the last decade. CSI's market demand assessment lays out what it takes to make the University of Iowa's Center for Intellectual Freedom a success.

Check out our research: https://t.co/9uaphsJFW9

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Please join us in welcoming Andrew Woodward to the team!

Andrew brings a strong background in strategy and research. Before CSI, he held roles at Nuveen and MCE Social Capital, along with experience supporting organizations like The World Bank and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

Andrew earned his M.A. from University of Denver and his B.S. from Pepperdine University. Based in Denver, he spends his free time on the tennis court, on the water, or in the mountains.

We’re excited to have him on board!

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

The average cost of homeowners' insurance in Iowa has climbed 273% over the last 15 years, rising to a statewide average of $2,533. With foreclosure rates on the rise, the connection between insurance costs and the cost of housing is hard to ignore.

Read @TheDailyIowan article: https://t.co/E6PgPUqq5Y
Read CSI's analysis: https://t.co/YzgCJ0nczU

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Please join us in welcoming Liz Keehner to the board!

Liz is President of the Iowa Venture Capital Association, where she works to strengthen Iowa’s innovation economy and expand access to capital for entrepreneurs. She is also a Partner at Next Level Ventures, bringing deep experience in venture investing and governance.

A respected leader in Iowa’s startup community, Liz holds a BA in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and lives in Des Moines with her family.

We’re excited to have her on the board!

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Iowa's demographic trends are raising serious questions about the state's long-term economic outlook. CSI's Director of Policy and Research @benamurrey breaks down what the data show and what they mean for Iowa's future.

Read CSI's analysis: https://t.co/3aWZjVndOk

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

In a new article in the @gazettedotcom, CSI's assessment of potential student demand for the Center for Intellectual Freedom found that demand will depend on the university's support and implementation of the program. This assessment was legislatively mandated under 2025's House File 437.

Read the article: https://t.co/VBgwJtSM8M
Read the report: https://t.co/9uaphsJFW9

[Common Sense Institute Iowa @CSInstituteIA]

Is there demand for the kind of classical civics education offered by UI's new Center for Intellectual Freedom?

CSI’s latest research finds civics centers don't start with demand, they must create it.

Examples from comparable civics centers across the nations show:
➤ Comparable programs have scaled quickly
➤ One model grew from 52 students to 2,800+ in just four years
➤ Faculty needs could range from 1 to ~36 instructors depending on enrollment

The takeaway: How Iowa’s Center is structured will determine how big it gets.

Learn more in the full report: https://t.co/9uaphsJFW9