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News Releases

603, 2024

Utah Consumer Sentiment Fell Slightly in February

March 6th, 2024|

 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. […]

1402, 2024

Economic data confirm higher education confers substantial individual and societal benefits

February 14th, 2024|

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. […]

1202, 2024

Utah Consumer Sentiment Rose in January

February 12th, 2024|

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). […]

902, 2024

Utah tourism generated a record $11.98 billion in visitor spending in 2022

February 9th, 2024|

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. […]

102, 2024

Two-thirds of Utah hospitals have nonprofit status

February 1st, 2024|

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[...]

1101, 2024

2024 Economic Report to the Governor highlights resilient Utah and U.S. economies

January 11th, 2024|

January 12, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute today presented the 36th Economic Report to the Governor to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at the 2024 Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber. The report highlights the resilience of the U.S. economy in 2023 and projects continued, albeit slowed, economic growth in 2024. […]

1101, 2024

Utah addresses need for more accessible, equitable, and aligned behavioral health services

January 11th, 2024|

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. […]

1001, 2024

No single solution will cure Great Salt Lake

January 10th, 2024|

January 10, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – The Great Salt Lake Strike Team, which brings together the technical expertise of Utah state government agencies and research universities, today shared data and insights to help decision-makers during the 2024 General Legislative Session. The new report, Great Salt Lake Data and Insights Summary, makes clear that no single solution will cure the lake, data and modeling investments will make a significant difference, and water shepherding is critical to raising water levels in the lake. […]

1108, 2023

Utah’s Consumer Sentiment Ticks up Slightly in July

August 11th, 2023|

August 11, 2023 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment edged up in July to its highest level since February 2022 (from 76.3 in June to 77.3 in July), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found a larger increase among Americans as a whole (from 64.4 in June to 71.6 in July). […]

1107, 2023

Utah’s Consumer Sentiment Rises in June

July 11th, 2023|

July 10, 2023 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment rose in June 2023 to its highest level in more than a year (76.3, up from 71.0 in May), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found an increase of similar magnitude among Americans as a whole (64.4 in June, up from 59.2 in May). […]