News Releases

April 16, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values: responsibility to the community, integrity and relevance, accountability, collaboration, and a positive work environment. […]

Decrease marks the first instance where a Utah economic indicator performed worse than the nation April 5, 2024 (Salt Lake City)  - Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 2.9% in March (from 80.3 in January to 78.0), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment increased by 3.1% among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 76.9 to 79.4). Both figures are within the margin of error of their respective surveys. This marks the first instance of a Utah economic indicator performing worse[...]

Report details varying employment conditions and needs of Utah’s family caregivers April 4, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — Utah’s unpaid family caregivers are a heterogeneous group and provide care for friends and family members in various ways. Although many Utah caregivers balance the demands of work, family, and caregiving in ways they feel are acceptable, certain subsets of caregivers defined by age, gender, income, employment status, hours of caregiving, and living situation need more support. […]

 March 6, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 1.3% in February to 80.3, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. However, it’s worth noting that this decrease was not deemed statistically significant. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment declined 2.7% among Americans as a whole during the same time. […]

February 14, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — Utahns who secure higher education degrees earn more income, secure greater employment opportunities, achieve greater upward mobility, participate less in public assistance programs, and garner a variety of other positive benefits. These and other benefits are documented in a new policy brief released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. […]

February 12, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 2.0% in January (from 79.8 in December to 81.3), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment rose 13.3% among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 69.7 to 79.0). […]

February 9, 2024 (Salt Lake City)— Visitors spent a record $11.98 billion in Utah’s economy in 2022, generating 98,600 direct travel-related jobs and $1.37 billion in direct state and local tax revenue, according to the latest annual industry report released today by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The report notes that overall, state visitation and other tourism-related economic indicators remained strong despite surging inflation, high gas prices, and fears of a possible recession. […]

February 1, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Nonprofit hospitals play a significant role in Utah’s health system. A new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute provides an overview of nonprofit hospitals and examines the benefits they provide to the state including charity care and medical discounts; community education, services, and research; donations of time and money; and essential health services throughout the state. “Data show two-thirds of the state’s hospitals have nonprofit status,” said Melanie Beagley, health care analyst at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the brief. “Additionally, 18 of Utah’s 21 rural and critical[...]

Report serves as guide to help strengthen Utah’s mental health and substance use disorder systems January 11, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah is working to address a growing behavioral health crisis. While the state is leading the nation on many behavioral health innovations, inter­­ventions, and reforms, high suicide rates, untreated anxiety and depression, serious mental illness, and drug-related deaths are all signs of the need for more accessible, equitable, aligned, and effective behavioral health services. […]