However, employers may not find a sufficient work force for production needs, and expansion may not be a possibility due to a lack of workforce. The 1999 Legislature is looking at possible ways of increasing the workforce with incentives to encourage young people to learn highly skilled jobs and for older workers to be retrained. There may also be a need to encourage investment into such training by companies. Like any state, there are some pockets of extremely low unemployment. The United States right now is experiencing one of the longest streaks of peacetime strong economic indicators.
Unemployment is low, interest rates are low and the economy is showing slow, but steady growth.
What To Do About Meth Amid consensus that drug abuse involving methamphetamine is one of the most serious problems facing the state, lawmakers are considering a number of legislative proposals to enhance criminal penalties and expand law enforcement and prevention efforts. A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee met with a group of county attorneys who said they were opposed to a proposal that would establish a life sentence for anyone who sells meth to a child. Governor Vilsack and Lt. Governor Pederson have used their recent election victory to highlight a few key issue themes, with fighting meth at the top of the list. They are also looking at better treatment and prevention programs, as well as life terms for those who manufacture and sell to minors.