Generation Iowa Commission Signed by Culver

The Generation Iowa Commission was signed in to law by Gov. Chet Culver yesterday. The Generation Iowa Commission has the goal to stop Iowa's brain drain and keep young adults in the state.

The author of the bill is Rep. Elesha Gayman, who is from rural Scott Co. She writes about the bill on her blog for the Quad City times, where she asks..

But why should the common Iowan care?

I am glad she asks for my opinion. Currently, Iowa's biggest export is our well educated youth. We are investing in providing a high quality education to our children through public education, then we let the product of that bolt out the door at the first chance they get. To keep Iowa growing, we need to keep the product of our quality education system in the state, so that we can reap the benefits.

Rep. Gayman says...

If keeping your family and friends nearby is not a good enough reason, may I suggest that it is in your best financial interest? As the population continues to age and our tax base erodes, who is going to pay for schools, healthcare, roads, public safety and prisons? Why would a company even consider coming to Iowa if there aren’t enough workers?

I’m sure many folks wish I would stop talking about it, but I think we are finally starting to make progress. At a time when our workforce is aging and baby boomers are approaching retirement, it has become clear that we don’t have enough people to fill the ranks. Iowans are starting to wake up and realize our state ranks near last in retaining college graduates.

Rep. Gayman explains the details of the bill..

Our Generation Iowa bill was signed by the Governor today. It creates a Generation Iowa Commission comprised of 15, 18 to 35 year olds from diverse backgrounds who will be charged with three tasks: make recommendations to the legislature on how to keep and retain young people; promote and market Iowa to help recruit business, new industry, and young people; and create best practices for employers who are looking to keep and retain young talent.

Generation Iowa will be the needed foundation to an issue that is the single biggest challenge to our state’s successful economic future.

This is good start on reversing the trend of Iowa's brain drain. It will be interesting to follow what comes out of the Generation Iowa Commission.