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Free Enterprise Report: 2026 Edition

The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of the Iowa economic landscape and the state’s most pressing issues. The study is a year long undertaking and includes the CSI Economic Performance Index as well as a Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index across eight different policy areas.

Both indices provide an opportunity to look backwards and better understand where Iowa has been and what direction we are moving. We can better understand how we are performing relative to other states and we can equip policy makers, civic and business leaders with the best understanding of how our state is performing, where we are winning, where we are losing and how free enterprise principles can get us back on track.

 

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Taxes & Fees
Keeping Local Tax Dollars Local

Iowa’s local governments held $2.5 billion in public funds with ISJIT and IPAIT

Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest - May 2026

Year-over-year inflation rose from 3.8% to 4.2% for the U.S. and from 4.1% to 5.0% for the Midwest in May 2026.​

June 10, 2026 Andrzej Wieciorkowski
Taxes & Fees
Iowa's Largest Property Tax Reform in Decades Changes the U.S. Tax Burden Map

CSI projects Iowa’s property tax reforms, SF 2472 (2026) and HF 718 (2023), will improve Iowa’s local tax burden rank from 20th most burdened in the nation in FY 2023 to 29th by FY 2033.

Free Enterprise Report
Iowa's Free Enterprise Report: 2025 Edition

The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of the Iowa economic landscape and the state’s most pressing issues.