‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives

Iowa Small Business Owner Questions Republican Corporate Tax Cut

Iowa small business owner Mike Draper cuts through the clutter on whether Republican corporate tax breaks will actually help Iowa small businesses create new jobs.

From Mr. Draper’s comments:

But for argument sake, let’s say the governor wanted to cut state income-tax rates as well to help small businesses add jobs. Say he even reduced my state taxes by 20 percent and I was expected to hire new staff with that savings. On a salary of $40,000 per year, that 20 percent reduction moves my taxes by 1 percent, or 400 annual dollars.

So, indeed, I could hire a new employee with my savings; it would just take 100 years (and by 2111, would $40,000 per year even be enough for them to afford the newest hover-board that all the other guys at the store will have?).

However, if that tax savings were coupled with public pre-K being eliminated for my son, a $400 annual savings may be slightly offset by the additional $8,000 annually I’d have to spend on day care.

Read his full comments from the Des Moines Register go here.

Tags: Iowa Corporate Tax Cut, Iowa income tax, Iowa Small Businesses, tax cuts, Terry Branstad
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

1,000 Workers Rally at the Statehouse

After over a thousand Iowa workers rallied at the Statehouse this afternoon, Republicans are still offering a bill that would end the state’s collective bargaining law. The subcommittee meeting on House Study Bill 117 is scheduled for this afternoon.

The bill being considered to end collective bargaining will take away rights from police officers, fire fighters, state troopers, teachers, and other workers who clear our streets after a snow storm and protect Iowa kids in abusive homes.  As always, our top priority is creating new jobs and opportunities for working families in Iowa and the bill being considered by Republicans is a step in the wrong direction.  It’s another blow to Iowa’s middle class.

Tags: collective bargining, Iowa workers
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Rural Caucus: Keep Workforce Centers Open

Members of the Iowa House Rural Caucus today said a plan by Governor Branstad to close 39 workforce offices unfairly targets rural Iowa.

“Governor Branstad’s plan to shut down workforce offices is a step in the wrong direction. With a growing economy and $900 million budget surplus, there is no reason to end critical job training and placement services for Iowans in rural communities,” said Rep. Andrew Wenthe, D-Hawkeye, who chairs the House Democrats Rural Caucus.

Governor Branstad’s plan to close 39 workforce offices was released today by Iowa Workforce Development Officials. It will eliminate job development & placement assistance, interviewing skills workshops, and claims assistance. The workforce centers also support local businesses and help them find skilled workers.

“Eliminating workforce offices in rural communities such as Oelwein, Estherville, New Hampton and 36 others will make it even harder for Iowans looking for a good-paying job to secure 21st century job skills and opportunities,” said Wenthe. “This short-sighted and irresponsible decision is a slap in the face to rural Iowa.”

The Rural Caucus was created by House Democrats last year to give Iowa’s rural economy a boost by focusing on rural job creation, meeting Iowa’s rural infrastructure needs, and guaranteeing adequate resources for rural schools. Wenthe was subsequently elected to lead a group of rural legislators representing areas outside metropolitan areas in Iowa.

Tags: Andrew Wenthe, Rural Caucus, Rural Iowa
Category Agriculture, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Democrats Fight Against Closure of 39 Workforce Development Offices

Today, Iowa Workforce Development proposed a plan to close 39 workforce development offices, resulting in layoffs across the state.

Instead of increasing access to employment services for workers and businesses, the Governor’s plan puts up more barriers for Iowans looking for a job and businesses trying to hire new workers. This plan eliminates job development & placement assistance, interviewing skills workshops and claims assistance.

In a joint statement made today, Senator Bill Dotzler, Chair of the Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Ranking Member of the House Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, expressed their concerns.

“Governor Branstad’s plan is disastrous to more than 100,000 Iowans who want to rejoin the workforce. The Governor is pulling out the rug on Iowans by reducing their access to key services by closing 39 workforce development offices, mostly in rural areas. Democrats flatly reject this scheme because it targets Iowans in rural areas and small towns. We can do better.”

Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Iowa Unemployment Rate Down to 6.3 Percent

Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped two points to 6.3 percent in December from 6.6 percent in November, reflecting the largest monthly decrease in the rate for the year. The state’s jobless rate stood at 6.5 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate also took a sharp drop in December, falling to 9.4 percent from a November rate of 9.8 percent.

Total employment climbed to a seven-month high of 1,569,500 in December, suggesting that the overall trajectory of the statewide economy has improved in recent months. The total number of working Iowans was reported at 1,564,000 in November and at 1,567,600 one year ago.

Tags: jobs and economy, unemployment rate
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |