Gov. Kim Reynolds is working hard to grow Iowa’s economy. By following fiscal conservatism, lowering tax rates, and reducing barriers to occupational freedom, Iowa is becoming more economically competitive. This is essential, as Iowa is competing with other states for jobs and people. In order to make Iowa even more competitive, policymakers should reduce barriers to employment by implementing further reforms to occupational licensing.
Iowa has made substantial progress in reducing barriers to employment by reforming occupational licensing. The reform law, which passed in 2020, allows for universal recognition of out-of-state licenses, waives licensing fees for low-income individuals, and establishes a standard for a fairer review process if a license is denied based on past criminal convictions.
Continue reading at Des Moines Register.
John Hendrickson is the policy director for Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation.
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Economics of Flourishing
Gov. Kim Reynolds is working hard to grow Iowa’s economy. By following fiscal conservatism, lowering tax rates, and reducing barriers to occupational freedom, Iowa is becoming more economically competitive. This is essential, as Iowa is competing with other states for jobs and people. In order to make Iowa even more competitive, policymakers should reduce barriers to employment by implementing further reforms to occupational licensing.
Iowa has made substantial progress in reducing barriers to employment by reforming occupational licensing. The reform law, which passed in 2020, allows for universal recognition of out-of-state licenses, waives licensing fees for low-income individuals, and establishes a standard for a fairer review process if a license is denied based on past criminal convictions.
Continue reading at Des Moines Register.
John Hendrickson
John Hendrickson is the policy director for Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation.
Edward Timmons
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
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