National job predictions are grim, but state legislators say Iowans seeking employment will likely find jobs at home.

The U.S. economy lost 200,000 jobs in 2002, according to the Conference Board, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which tracks job data.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reported 3.6 percent fewer college graduates are expected to be hired this year.

In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Bush said strengthening the economy is a primary goal.

“We must have an economy that grows fast enough to employ every man and woman who seeks a job,” he said.

Bush said stimulating the economy, with tax cuts, will increase job availability.

“Jobs are created when the economy grows; the economy grows when Americans have more money to spend and invest; and the best and fairest way to make sure Americans have t0he money is not to tax it away in the first place,” he said.

Peter Orazem, professor of economics, said he doesn’t believe the economy of the state or the country is down.

“A lot of perception of a weak economy is based on the stock market and tax returns and not necessarily on output and employment,” he said.

Orazem said the nation’s unemployment rate was low last year and is impossible to sustain over a long period of time.

“No one expected we could sustain 4 percent [unemployment rate] when the norm should’ve been 5 or 5.5 percent,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, said Iowans need to focus on job generation.

“It’s not just one shot [more money], let’s get better jobs here,” he said.

Orazem said Iowa’s unemployment rate is low, compared to the national trend.

“The unemployment rate of Iowa is 3.9 percent, and a year ago it was 3.7 percent,” he said.

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said Gov. Tom Vilsack has proposed putting more money into outreach programs that will stimulate new businesses.

“In my opinion, with what the governor is trying to do, I think we’re going to see an increase in job opportunities,” she said.

Rep. Jane Greimann, D-Ames, said she is unsure about the forecast of job availability in Iowa.

“I think we recognize [job shortages] in state government, but whether we’re going to be able to generate the funds [that will stimulate job growth], I really don’t know,” she said.

In an interview with the Daily last week, Latham said there are many job opportunities arising in Ames. He said there are reasons to stay in Ames and in the state of Iowa, including quality of life, jobs, educational opportunities, safety, good environment and community.

“The opportunities in the future are unbelievable — and the opportunities we have are here,” he said.

— CNNMoney contributed to this story.