From last week’s inbox, a very important message from Progress Iowa:

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2021

Contact: Ivy Beckenholdt, ivy@progressiowa.org

ICYMI: Iowa’s economy sputtering as people flee the state

Iowa losing jobs as younger residents flee the state under Republican leadership

Des Moines, Iowa — Two recent reports show a sputtering Iowa economy after years of attacks on working families under Republican leadership.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Iowa lost jobs again in April, as our economic recovery from the pandemic continues to fall behind other states. And Moneywise rated Iowa as one of the worst states when considering residents fleeing the state. The two reports come after five years of Republican control in state government that has seen the stripping away of worker’s rights, underfunding of education, and a partisan, ideological approach to health care and social policy.

“Iowa families and workers are falling behind, and the Governor is cutting the legs out from under us,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Republicans have had complete control of Iowa for five years and the results are clear. They have failed our state. They have failed working families. Young people are fleeing the state. Our leaders must learn their lesson and invest in our future before it’s too late.”

According to the Des Moines Register, the most recent state jobs report shows a faltering Iowa economy has fallen behind the rest of the country:

“Iowa’s economy continued to sputter in April, as the state lost jobs for the second time in three months.”

“Overall, the state did not absorb as deep of an economic shock from the pandemic as most others because it does not rely as much on tourism-related industries. But its economic recovery has fallen behind the rest of the country’s.”

“Since October, the number of Iowans with jobs has increased by 4,700, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. That represents growth of about 0.3%. As a whole, the nation has added jobs at four times that rate over those six months.”

And according to Moneywise, Iowa is the eighth worst state in the country for residents moving out:

“Iowa sunsets over golden cornfields are the stuff of poetry, and its cities and job market are growing — yet nearly three-quarters of those moving away are looking for better employment.”

“By far, the largest group leaving the Hawkeye State is young people ages 18 to 34. They get their degrees from the University of Iowa or Iowa State and decide they’d rather settle down somewhere else.”

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Background:

Des Moines Register: Iowa lost jobs in April, continues to trail the nation in economic recovery

Moneywise: The States Americans Are Fleeing

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Progress Iowa is a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization with a network of more than 75,000 progressives. Year-round, Progress Iowa advocates for a stronger middle class, first-class public education, and fairness for all Iowans under the law.