Here is some of the evidence:

** Standard & Poor’s has given Iowa its highest rating — “AAA” — for the second year in a row. Iowa is one of only 11 states to achieve this best-possible rating.

** Forbes ranked Iowa #14 on its list of best states for business, up from 22 in 2006. Iowa’s improved ranking is based largely on our high scores for business costs, regulatory environment, and quality of life.

** CNBC put Iowa 4th on its list of best state for business—up from 9th last year—based on cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life and other measurements.

** Results from this year’s ACT college entrance exam put Iowa second in the nation for the average composite score. That shows our investments in student achievement are preparing students to succeed in college and in the workforce.

** A recent Gallup poll found Iowa is #4 in the country for the well-being of our residents.

we ended the 2009 session with a balanced budget and $441 million in our state’s rainy day accounts.  Read more at www.iowasenatedemocrats.org