Abstract

A 1996 welfare act that allows states more leeway in designing their own welfare programs is expected to dramatically change the role of local governments with respect to human service delivery programs. It is important that policymakers and local officials understand how changes are likely to affect local economies. This report develops a database to help researchers study the economic and fiscal impacts of the welfare initiative on individuals and families as well as on state and local governments in Iowa. The database includes county-level economic, labor market, and welfare performance indicators for seven Iowa counties. This report also addresses the issue of rural-urban differences in the indicators.