The Common Sense Institute (CSI), a non-partisan organization focused on employment and economic issues, has announced its expansion into Iowa.
The announcement was made in a news release Jan. 18.
CSI leaders say the group will employ rigorous research techniques and dynamic modeling to evaluate the potential impact of proposed public policies on jobs and the economy in the state of Iowa.
“CSI’s presence in Iowa is a game-changer for our state, and I’m thrilled to announce this launch,” said Joe Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council, who will serve as CSI Iowa board chair. “We are at a crucial juncture in shaping our economic policies, and informed decisions are key. CSI’s rigorous research will be instrumental in guiding these decisions.”
CSI Iowa will be the organization’s newest chapter, joining counterparts in Colorado and Arizona, as well as a newly launched chapter in Oregon. The group will be guided by a board of local leaders from various industries who share CSI’s dedication to factual and non-partisan policy analysis.
Paige Thorson, former deputy chief of staff to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, will serve as strategic advisor for Common Sense Institute’s Iowa chapter.
“Joining CSI Iowa is an honor,” said CSI Iowa board member Amber Mason Lusson, a criminal justice expert and community leader. “The organization’s emphasis on data over politics is vital for objective policy development. I look forward to contributing to this important work.”
“I am eager to engage in CSI’s work on the issues facing the Cedar Rapids region and our state,” said Doug Neumann, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and a CSI board member. “This non-partisanship research will deepen our understanding and aid in navigating the complex challenges we face.”
The chapter aims to examine various critical issues relevant to Iowa, such as housing, tax policy, and workforce issues, providing insights for effective decision-making to promote economic growth and community welfare.
“Iowa is a place where free enterprise is taking wing – a place where common sense policy is on the march,” said CSI president and CEO Kristin Strohm. “The expansion of the CSI into Iowa aligns with our commitment to be in all pivotal policy states across the nation, providing policymakers and citizens with the facts on the issues that impact their lives.”
In additional remarks at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s annual meeting, Ms. Strohm – a Coe College graduate who now lives in Colorado – said CSI will utilize analysts and researchers to “race past the sound bites and the sloganeering that dominate politics and give policymakers and citizens a clear, detailed view of what laws and legislation actually mean in the real world.”
“At CSI, we are driving the debate, but we don’t engage in advocacy,” she added. “We never say vote for or vote against issues. But our work is frequently pivotal to the outcome of major debates. We’re demonstrating that if we lead with facts instead of emotion, we can actually bring folks together and solve problems. And a big piece of that is being part of the communities we serve.
“We don’t really take sides and the red versus blue UFC cage match that is modern American politics. But we do have a viewpoint. Free enterprise works. Competition makes us better. Free markets allocate resources better than central planners. Individuals make better decisions than the administrative state could. A responsible tax policy that funds critical services is vital. But punitive taxes regulations can harm communities. We’re so excited to call Iowa home. At CSI, we’re proving that facts still do matter. And we’ve shown that the truth is power.”
