Senator Jerry Behn Says There's Still Work to be Done on Iowa's Unemployment Rate

Submitted by Senate Republican Leader Jerry Behn

We got some good news in Iowa this week that is certainly worth celebrating.

Iowa’s unemployment rate continues to fall and more people are going back to work.

According to Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa's unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in January and the statewide jobless rate was reported at 5.6 percent in December and at 6.1 percent in January 2011.

The estimate of unemployed Iowans dropped to 90,400 in January from 93,400 in December. The comparable level for January 2011 was 101,200.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,576,300 in January from 1,573,300 in December, and from 1,567,500 one year ago. Employment in this state has been gradually increasing since August 2011.

However, there is no need to pop any champagne corks.  Our work is not finished.

In fact, we have hardly just gotten started. 

There is so much more we can, should and must do.

In order to keep the economic momentum going and to continue to put more Iowans back to work, we need to do four big things yet this session:

1)     We need to pass a budget that is free of gimmicks, spends less than we take in, saves for the future and is balanced without raising taxes.

2)     We need to pass permanent, aggressive and authentic property tax relief for all classes of property.

3)     We need to pass government regulation reform that eliminates unnecessary regulations without jeopardizing the safety and health of hardworking Iowans.

4)     We need to pass true education reform that gives our children the tools they need to succeed in this increasingly competitive global economy.

As Iowans, we have a real opportunity to work together to bring measurable results.

We could and should do all of these things in a bi-partisan way that would make all Iowans proud.

As Senate Republicans, we stand ready to help pass all of these bills in the coming weeks in order to bring about career creation and jobs for Iowa.

It is our hope that we will find bi-partisan support.

It’s the right thing to do.  We need to make it happen.

As always, I want to hear from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn

Senate Republican Leader

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