‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 1st, 2012
The outlook for Iowa’s economy continues to improve as a new survey of businesses leaders out today predicts solid growth for Iowa and the Midwest.
Here’s the latest from the Associated Press:
A big jump in a monthly survey index suggests more economic growth is ahead for nine Midwest and Plains states.
The Business Conditions Index rose to 55.9 in January, compared with 50.0 in December.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the December report suggested the region’s economy was slowing down because of debt concerns in Europe and the lukewarm U.S. economy. But he says it appears now that December’s “tepid reading was due to seasonal or nonrecurring factors.”
The survey uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Goss says that any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline for that factor.
The survey of supply managers covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Tags: Iowa Economy, Midwest Survey
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 5th, 2012
House and Senate leaders toured the state this week to talk about the 2012 legislative session which begins on January 9th in Des Moines.
With stops in Mason City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal laid out the Democratic agenda for the 2012 session to include helping middle class families, cutting commercial property taxes, passing education reform, reforming Iowa’s mental health system, and establishing other budget priorities for the next year.
“Democrats will work to make more progress on good-paying jobs this year. Our job creation plan will reduce taxes for small businesses and reform our schools to ensure that Iowa students are prepared for the jobs of the future,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. “While Iowa’s economy gains steam, we will do all we can to speed up the recovery and put Iowans back to work.”
“Iowans are tired of the partisan bickering and political games. Democrats are going to work to find common ground on the issues that affect the lives of everyday Iowans,” added House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines.
“We will listen to Iowans and act responsibly to keep the state’s fiscal house in order,” added Gronstal. “If Republicans join us in working together and bargaining in good faith, I’m confident the 2012 session will be a success.”
“Middle class families have been hit hard during the national recession and Democrats will work to make sure that Iowans who work hard and play by the rules get a boost. We will also help Iowa small businesses expand and grow while continuing to keep Iowa a world leader in renewable energy,” concluded McCarthy.
The 2012 session of the Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, January 9th at 10 am.
Tags: Economy, Jobs, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Gronstal, Session 2012
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 20th, 2011
Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest that it has been since September of 2009 according to Iowa Workforce Development. Unemployed Iowans fell by 3,700, from 98,700 in October to 95,000 in November, marking the second consecutive month that unemployment has dropped by 100,000.
Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development said, “The large drop in the November unemployment rate, along with an increase in total employment and further expansion in manufacturing, seems to confirm that the recovery has stepped up a notch.”
The monthly jobless rate had been 6 percent for seven months of the first 11 months of 2011. On the other months, it had been at 6.1 percent.
Tags: iowa workforce development, unemployment rate
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 9th, 2011
Iowans looking for work won a big victory today when a district court ruled Governor Terry Branstad’s veto closing down 36 workforce centers across Iowa was unconstitutional.
“After working together across party lines last session to make sure Iowans who need help finding a job could get it, I’m pleased the court overturned Governor Branstad’s veto which shut down 36 workforce centers, including the one in Iowa City,” said Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, who was a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the veto.
“In tough economic times when too many Iowans are out of work, the Governor made the wrong decision to make it more difficult for them to find a job. Many Iowans need help learning new skills to land a good-paying job and small businesses in communities across Iowa rely on these centers to find Iowa workers,” added Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, who also joined the lawsuit. “It’s time to work together to strengthen our economy and help the middle class.”
During the 2011 legislative session, Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature worked together to ensure Workforce Development field offices were adequately funded and language was included in Senate File 517 directing Iowa Workforce Development to keep their current offices open. Governor Branstad ignored the bi-partisan work of the Legislature and vetoed funding for the centers and requirements that they remain open. After a lawsuit was filed challenging the veto in Polk County District Court, a judge today overturned the Governor’s veto and ruled it unconstitutional. State Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, also joined the suit.
Tags: Bruce Hunter, Dave Jacoby, Iowa Workforce Centers, iowa workforce development, job seekers, Kirsten Running-Marquardt, unemployment, workforce office
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 29th, 2011
Iowa was named the fifth best run state by a new study out by 24/7 Wallst.com. Iowa was credited for having high rates of educated and insured residents. It was found that 90.6% of residents 25 years and older have at least a high school diploma and only 9.3% of residents do not have health insurance. According to 24/7 Wallst.com these are among the best rates in the country.
Iowa was also touted for having an exceptionally low unemployment rate and the highest credit rating available,which is an example of it’s healthy economy.
The 24/7 Wall St. Best and Worst Run States is an analysis that focused on each state’s financial health based on factors including credit score and debt, how a state uses its resources to provide its residents with high living standards, reviewing dimensions such as health insurance, employment rate, and low crime and a good education.
Iowa was ranked behind, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota and Minnesota.
Tags: 27/7 Wall Street, Best Run State
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
