Independent Analysis and Information on Iowa Tax and Budget Issues

Food assistance provides an effective boost to the economy — and even in high-demand times, is accountable to taxpayers.

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The Recovery Act — Impacts in Iowa
Smart Steps in Recovery — Improving the Child Tax Credit

By maintaining the Child Tax Credit eligibility rules modified in the Recovery Act, Congress could help thousands of working Iowans and their children who struggle to support their families and make ends meet.
Read backgrounder or 2-page PDF 6/14/10

Weatherizing Iowa to a Green Recovery
At the same time the federal economic recovery package is boosting income and the number of jobs for Iowa workers, it is improving energy-savings opportunities for Iowa families who cannot otherwise afford them.
Policy Brief PDF (7 pages) 5/20/10
News Release HTML PDF (2 pages)

Recovery Funds Promote Gains in Child Health Access

Thanks to legislative actions in 2008 and 2009, and to federal stimulus dollars, Iowa has become a leader among states in ensuring health insurance coverage for nearly all Iowa children.
ARRA-Child Health Policy Brief 3-pg PDF 3/7/10

Food Assistance, Jobless Aid Boosting Iowa Economy

Federal recovery dollars for Iowa’s unemployment insurance system boosted the Iowa economy by over $500 million and more than 3,700 jobs in 2009, with continuing benefits into 2010.

Policy Brief 5-pg PDF
News Release
HTML or 2-pg PDF 2/25/10 LATEST

In the first year of the federal recovery act, food assistance increases alone have boosted economic activity and income, and saved or created jobs in Iowa.
Policy Brief 9-pg PDF News Release HTML or 2-pg PDF 2/17/10 NEW

Just What Doctor Ordered: Medicaid Recovery Funds Helping Iowans

Increased Medicaid spending has an economic benefit for the state of Iowa far greater than the federal government’s initial investment — about $1.68 for each dollar invested.
Policy brief 5-pg PDF 11/12/09 News release 2-pg PDF 11/12/09

More Analysis of ARRA Impacts in Iowa

TANF Emergency Fund — The recovery act (ARRA) provides an opportunity for Iowa to strengthen its TANF program and meet the needs of poor working families as well as those who have lost their jobs..
Backgrounder 2-pg PDF 12/17/09

Child care — Iowa can help families barely out of poverty to keep covering child care expenses even as their earnings rise, if the state uses federal recovery act funds as intended.
Backgrounder 2-pg PDF 2/25/10

A joint effort of the Iowa Policy Project and the Child & Family Policy Center (logos).