MOST RECENT
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Counties, Cities, and the Cap—Iowa’s Local Payroll Growth Meets SF 2472
September 25, 2026 |
Andrzej Wieciorkowski
, Dylan Mundt
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Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update – August 2026
September 18, 2026 |
Andrzej Wieciorkowski
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Inflation in the Midwest – August 2026
September 11, 2026 |
Andrzej Wieciorkowski
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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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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…
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.…
Inflation in the Midwest – August 2026
All the data referenced in this report come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) database.…
Outside the Classroom Door: Where Iowa’s Education Dollars Go
Introduction Public education is the largest single line in Iowa’s state budget. Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) spending alone accounts…
NEWSROOM
Inflation up in the Midwest as it continues to outpace national average, report finds
KCRG
September 14, 2026
Common Sense Institute announces 2026 Free Enterprise Summit Award winners
Corridor Business Journal
September 14, 2026
Non-Partisan Economic Research Organization Launches Agriculture Study Center In Iowa
WHO Radio
September 10, 2026
PODCASTS
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…
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…
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.…
