Our Mission

It's Just Common Sense.

Common Sense Institute is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Iowa's economy. CSI is at the forefront of important discussions concerning the future of free enterprise in Iowa and aims to have an impact on the issues that matter most to Iowan's.
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Research

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Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest – September 2026
All the data referenced in this report come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) database.…

October 14, 2026


Stepan Mysko
Jobs & Our Economy
As Agriculture Goes, So Goes Iowa: The Full Footprint of the State’s Farm Economy
Introduction Both sides of the political aisle call agriculture the backbone of Iowa’s economy, and the label is easy to…
State Budget
Counties, Cities, and the Cap—Iowa’s Local Payroll Growth Meets SF 2472
Introduction State and local government has become a driver of employment growth throughout the United States. According to an analysis…
Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update – August 2026
Summary Iowa added 2,400 nonfarm jobs in August, with private-sector employment rising by 1,900 and government employment rising by 500.…

September 18, 2026


Andrzej Wieciorkowski

PODCASTS

State Budget
Iowa’s DOGE Prototype and Its Results featuring Ben Murrey
The state of Iowa does not have a Department of Government Efficiency, however, Iowa lawmakers began improving government efficiency through…

February 24, 2025


Ben Murrey
Healthcare
Iowa’s Healthcare Landscape featuring Dr. Chelsea Lensing
Iowa’s policymakers, providers, and insurers operate within a state comprised of an aging population and large rural areas. According to…
Caitlin Clarkonomics and the Impact on Iowa featuring Ben Murrey
University of Iowa’s homegrown star, Caitlin Clark, began her college basketball career playing in empty arenas at the height of…

April 3, 2024


Ben Murrey
Announcing the Launch of CSI Iowa featuring Joe Murphy and Ben Murrey
In January, CSI made a bold move to kick off 2024 and launched in two new states: Iowa and Oregon.…

February 22, 2024


Ben Murrey

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