Here’s what Yahoo Finance had to say:

Iowa: Outperforming with a diverse economy plus agriculture

Unemployment Rate: 6.8%

Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%

Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: While commonly perceived as an agricultural hub, Iowa actually boasts a surprisingly diverse economy with jobs in the manufacturing, biotech, finance, insurance, and government services — all of which contribute to a strong hiring market. The S&P gave the state a Triple-A rating in 2009 (only one of nine to hold the position then).

Education: 24.3% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or higher. (Lower than average)

To read about all the states made the list visit:
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/10-states-with-ridiculously-low-unemployment—-and-why-535377.html?tickers=^dji,^gspc,spy,dia,udn,edv,uup

But through smart campaigning and hard work, Curt Hanson won.

Republicans, lobbyists and special interest groups thought they had it in the bag. It’s hard to forget these quotes last summer:

”It should be a real indicator of where things are headed,” said Ed Failor Jr., director of Iowans for Tax Relief, which typically supports Republican candidates. ”Whoever wins is going to have a little bit of a better opportunity to say this is what we can do, this is what we can produce,” said Ed Failor, ITR. (AP, 7/29/09)

Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn said in an e-newsletter that this race is a “must win.”

“I think the larger implications have to do with momentum,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha. (DMR, 8/23/09)

“We’re going to win it. That’s our expectation,” said Jeff Boeyink, executive director of the Iowa Republican Party. “… but it’s just the kind of district we need to win if we are going to retake the majority, and we’re going for it.”(DMR, 8/23/09)

Curt Hanson’s victory one year ago today proved that hard work and smart campaigning make all the difference. Today, House Democrats are applying those same principles to protect the Majority in the Iowa House.  But like a year ago, we can’t do it alone. We need your support. You can contribute here to make sure the Republican leaders are wrong again.

Anyone affected by the natural disasters in a county that has been Presidentially Declared for Individual Assistance is eligible for the “Iowans Helping Iowans” program. This includes the following 32 counties: Black Hawk, Cherokee, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Lucas, Lyon, Mahaska, Marion, O’Brien, Osceola, Polk, Ringgold, Sioux, Story, Taylor, Union, Warren, Webster, and Wright.

Homeowners must first register with FEMA and be awarded some form of FEMA housing assistance to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. Businesses must first be approved for a disaster-related loan by eligible lender, including conventional lenders, to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. For more information visit www.IowansHelpingIowans.com.

In addition, the local Farm Service Agency is offering assistance to those agricultural producers who sustained losses from recent flooding. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA and select the State Offices link at the top of the page for more information.

In 2008 the Iowa Legislature passed SF 2216 that boasted Iowa’s Core Curriculum by upping the standards of graduating high school students. Three years after the Legislature raised standards in schools to boost student achievement and ensure kids are prepared for jobs in today’s global economy, the Iowa Board of Education gave unanimous approval at their July 29th meeting to combine Iowa’s Core standards with a multi-state effort to develop a “Common Core” standard.

The Iowa Department of Education’s review of the new national model of education standards shows they are aligned with 88% of Iowa’s standards for math skills and concepts addressed in the Iowa Core. In literacy or English language arts, 84% of the skills and concepts addressed in the Iowa Core are also covered in the Common Core.

The Common Core State Standards were developed to be aligned with college and work expectations, to include rigorous content and skills, and to be internationally benchmarked. The Common Core State Standards initiative encompasses standards for English, language arts, and mathematics.

Des Moines was touted for it’s excellent work at luring back young Iowans and attracting  talent by developing its downtown and promoting the jobs available in the many industries that flourish throughout the city.

“There’s more to Des Moines than agricultural jobs. Employers include Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo in insurance and finance, as well as Meredith Corp. in publishing.

Added to Des Moines’ long-standing attractions and events — its contemporary-art center, symphony orchestra, recreational trails, the downtown farmers market, arts festival and grand old Iowa State Fair — are newer, sometimes edgier, offerings. These include a world cup triathlon that lures both elite and everyday athletes; a 4.4-acre downtown sculpture park with 24 sculptures valued at some $40 million; and a summer music festival that draws popular bands, such as Spoon and Modest Mouse.”

The magazine selected the top 10 cities by focusing on places that specialize in out-of-the-box thinking, leaders in job creation as well as thriving art, cultural and recreational areas.

For more information visit:

http://content.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/best-cities-2010-des-moines-iowa.html

The pool offers members a $1000 deductible policy. Premiums for members will range from $177.64 per month to $739.45 per month, depending on the applicant’s age and other variable factors.

As specified in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which created funding for states to establish and operate pools for uninsured residents, certain conditions must  be met to qualify for acceptance. An applicant must:

• Be a citizen or national of the United States or lawfully present in the United States
• Have been uninsured for at least six months prior to making application
• Have had a problem getting insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

Persons interested in applying are encouraged to promptly begin the process of acquiring, completing and submitting an application. Applications are available online now at www.iid.state.ia.us and soon will also be posted at www.hipiowa.com.

Iowa enacted its sales tax holiday in 2000, the second state to do so. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia now have similar programs. Despite recent budget woes, legislators chose not to suspend the sales tax holiday.

Iowa’s exemption only applies to clothing or footwear costing less than $100.  However, it does not include items designed primarily for athletic or protective use or accessories such as jewelry, watches, handbags, wallets, or rented items.

For more information, and a list of eligible items, contact the Iowa Department of Revenue at (515) 281-3114, or by visiting their website at:  www.iowa.gov/tax.

The Iowa Small Business Loan Program will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees, with an interest rate of 3.9 percent. The $5 million program was created to promote the creation and retention of jobs in Iowa’s economy by helping to provide financing to eligible small businesses.

Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligibility for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment and one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses.

The University of Northern Iowa will be hosting webinars across the state for small business owners interested in participating in the loan program. Key legislators involved in crafting the program will be in participation.

To be eligible for the loan program, the small business must be located in Iowa and must be owned, operated, and actively managed by an Iowa resident. Businesses must also have a business plan and receive assistance from an Iowa Small Business Development Center, the John Pappajohn Centers for Entrepreneurship or the Iowans for Social and Economic Development, in order to be eligible.

For more information on the program or to have a small business plan reviewed, contact your local Small Business Development Center (www.iowasbdc.org) or call the Iowa Department of Economic Development at (515) 212-0182.

In another effort to create good-paying jobs, the new Iowa Small Business Loan Program designed to help small business owners having trouble accessing resources to stay open or expand will begin accepting applications today.

The Iowa Small Business Loan Program will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees, with an interest rate of 3.9 percent. The $5 million program was created to promote the creation and retention of jobs in Iowa’s economy by helping to provide financing to eligible small businesses.

Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligibility for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment and one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses.

The University of Northern Iowa will be hosting webinars across the state for small business owners interested in participating in the loan program. Key legislators involved in crafting the program will be in participation.

To be eligible for the loan program, the small business must be located in Iowa and must be owned, operated, and actively managed by an Iowa resident. Businesses must also have a business plan and receive assistance from an Iowa Small Business Development Center, the John Pappajohn Centers for Entrepreneurship or the Iowans for Social and Economic Development, in order to be eligible.

For more information on the program or to have a small business plan reviewed, contact your local Small Business Development Center (www.iowasbdc.org) or call the Iowa Department of Economic Development at (515) 212-0182.

Iowa Ranks 6th in Latest National Kids Count Child Well-Being Report

Iowa ranks 6th nationally in the 2010 national Kids Count report on child well-being. The 21st annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, compares and ranks the fifty states on ten health, education, welfare and economic indicators of child well-being.

Iowa ranks first in the nation on two indicators, the high school dropout rate (3%) and the percent of teens not attending school and not working (4%). Iowa also showed improvement since 2000 on four other indicators. The teen death rate, infant mortality rate and child death rate all have experienced significant improvement since 2000 decreasing 27 percent, 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Iowa also showed slight improvement in the teen birth rate.

Iowa did experience a significant deterioration in the low birthweight rate, which has increased 12 percent since 2000, in addition to moderate deteriorations in the single parent family and child poverty rates.

“Iowa’s overall ranking is indicative of the emphasis the state puts on providing for its children and families, and Iowans should be proud of that,” said Michael Crawford, Iowa Kids Count Director with the Child and Family Policy Center in Des Moines, Iowa. “However, there are a few areas such as babies born at low birthweight, single parent families and child poverty that have worsened the past few years, and do need further emphasis.”

The 2010 KIDS COUNT Data Book annually is produced and disseminated by the Annie E. Casey Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland. Iowa Kids Count also produces a Kids Count Data Book annually providing county, substate, state and national data.