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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Infrastructure
The Economic Impact of Data Centers in Iowa
Introduction Critics often argue that data centers bring large buildings and heavy power demand but few jobs, and on its…
Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update – September 2026
Summary Iowa added 1,800 nonfarm jobs in September, with private-sector employment rising by 400 and government employment rising by 1,400.…

October 20, 2026


Stepan Mysko
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…

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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