IowaPolitics.com reported today that the Iowa Board of Regents has voted 7-2 to approve a base annual tuition increases of 6 percent for resident undergraduate and graduate students at Iowa State University, University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa in the 2010-11 academic year. Regents President David Miles then proposed rescinding the $100 surcharge that students paid this semester, if Gov. Chet Culver’s proposed $30.4 million supplemental for the universities this fiscal year is approved by the Legislature. The surcharge was rescinded in a unanimous vote.

Job losses during the recession might have been underestimated by close to 1 million jobs, CNNMoney.com reported today. It was previously estimated that employers cut more than 7 million jobs since the economy began tanking in December 2007. The Labor Department’s new estimate will be a loss of 8 million jobs. Read more.

MidAmerican Energy Company is providing $255,000 to 93 cities and community organizations in its Iowa service territory to support its Trees Please! Program. Trees improve energy efficiency by serving as natural windbreaks and providing shade to homes and businesses. Each community has been awarded at least $1,000. Read more and see which communities received awards.

IowaPolitics.com reported that The Iowa Senate is scheduled to give final legislative approval today to a bill giving early retirement incentives to state workers in hopes of saving the state $60 million. Senate File 2062 is one of three bills on the Senate debate calendar for today after the bill was approved by the Iowa House late Tuesday afternoon, 98-1. Under the bill, participating employees who have worked for the state for at least 10 years would receive $1,000 for each year of employment up to 25 years. They would also receive unused vacation funds and five years of monthly health care premium costs over a five-year period beginning this September.

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company announced that Wendy Waugaman, CEO and president, and John Matovina, CFO and vice chairman, will present at the NYSSA 14th Annual Insurance Conference in New York City at 1:50 p.m. Feb. 8. Investors may access a webcast of the presentation at www.americanequity.com.

The Harvest Research Center and KCCI have teamed up on the Big Game Survey, a poll that allows Iowans the chance to provide feedback on their favorite or least favorite advertisements during this Sunday’s Super Bowl. Results will air after the game and in Monday’s broadcasts. For those wishing to rate and review commercials or learn more about the survey, go to www.harvestresearchcenter.com