Our Mission

It's Just Common Sense.

Common Sense Institute is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Iowa's economy. CSI is at the forefront of important discussions concerning the future of free enterprise in Iowa and aims to have an impact on the issues that matter most to Iowan's.
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Research

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Jobs & Our Economy
Demo Post
The Cost of Homebuilding in Colorado: How Colorado’s Regulatory Environment Impacts the Price of New Homes   Executive Summary Colorado…
Jobs & Our Economy
Made in Iowa: The Outsized Contribution of Manufacturing in the State’s Economy
Introduction Manufacturing is the backbone of Iowa’s economy, and how the industry fares over the coming decade will shape the…
Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update – June 2026
Summary Iowa gained 600 nonfarm jobs in June, with government employment falling by 500 and private-sector employment growing by 1,100.…
Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest – June 2026
All the data referenced in this report come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) database.…

PODCASTS

State Budget
Iowa’s DOGE Prototype and Its Results featuring Ben Murrey
The state of Iowa does not have a Department of Government Efficiency, however, Iowa lawmakers began improving government efficiency through…

February 24, 2025


Ben Murrey
Healthcare
Iowa’s Healthcare Landscape featuring Dr. Chelsea Lensing
Iowa’s policymakers, providers, and insurers operate within a state comprised of an aging population and large rural areas. According to…
Caitlin Clarkonomics and the Impact on Iowa featuring Ben Murrey
University of Iowa’s homegrown star, Caitlin Clark, began her college basketball career playing in empty arenas at the height of…

April 3, 2024


Ben Murrey
Announcing the Launch of CSI Iowa featuring Joe Murphy and Ben Murrey
In January, CSI made a bold move to kick off 2024 and launched in two new states: Iowa and Oregon.…

February 22, 2024


Ben Murrey

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