Blog Posts
Insight: How might COVID-19 affect Utah’s Population Growth?
By: Mike Hollingshaus Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is challenging Utah’s individuals, families, and institutions. Following the guidance of our public health experts should help alleviate harm. In the meantime, we must still prepare for our states’ future operations while coping with near term disruptions. This leads us to wondering: How might COVID-19 affect Utah’s[...]
Insight: Economic Fundamentals Will Make for Swift Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic
By: James Wood Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. The financial market turmoil and daily life disruptions caused by the COVID-19 virus seem extraordinary. Other flu pandemics, at least to my memory, did not involve empty grocery store shelves, cancellation of an NBA season, travel bans, and quarantines of cities and, in some cases, country lock-downs. That’s to name a few of the disruptions.[...]
Insight: Utah’s Future: The Long View
By: Pamela Perlich Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. We are still in the early stages of understanding and responding to the public health, economic, and personal impacts of the coronavirus COVID-19 in Utah. It is becoming clear that, in the short run, these events will challenge our institutions and people by disrupting economic activity, straining public health resources, and imposing stresses on our[...]
Insight: Despite Public Health Concerns, Utah’s Fiscal House is in Order
By: Juliette Tennert Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. Earlier this year, we started to hear about a mysterious virus popping up in China. At that time, I never would have imagined that Governor Herbert would be declaring a state of emergency, and the University of Utah, where I work and teach, would be moving classes online for more than 30,000 students in response[...]
Insight: The Best Preparation? Arming Yourself with Good Information
By: Laura Summers Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. There are a lot of unknowns about the coronavirus (COVID-19), but one thing for certain is the daily flood of information we get about it through news, emails, social media, and chats around the water cooler. Some of this information is good and helpful, but it’s important to be able to sort out the good[...]
Insight: Six economic rules to help Utah during a pandemic
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in the Deseret News. The onslaught of information about the coronavirus can do as much harm as good, particularly when it comes to the economy. In what some have called an “infodemic” Utahns like me are asking questions: How do I keep myself and the people I love safe? What sources of information should I trust? Is our response proportionate to the risk? Are we overreacting and hurting our economy in the process? How do we synchronize the public health imperative with sound economic reasoning? I can’t answer these questions with precision, but it’s clear[...]
Insight: State Budget Report Cards Out, Utah a Model Student
By: Juliette Tennert Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. The Volcker Alliance gave Utah high marks in state budget practices in its recently released Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: The Balancing Act report. […]
Insight: Clearing Utah’s Air
By: Thomas Holst Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute this month delivered The Utah Roadmap to Legislative leadership. This study outlines policy options for reducing Utah’s air pollutant emissions and greenhouse gases. Since the study arrived after the 2020 Utah Legislature convened, the Utah Roadmap’s policy options may wait until the 2021 session for thorough discussion by legislators.[...]
Insight: What’s Driving Our Office Real Estate Growth?
By: Dejan Eskic Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. Driving up and down the I-15 corridor, few things are as evident as the growth in the number of new office buildings. The last decade saw approximately 11.5 million square feet of new office space constructed in Utah and Salt Lake counties. Between 2010 and 2019, Utah County’s market size nearly doubled, while Salt Lake[...]
Insight: Utah’s Energy Industry
By: John Downen Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. Energy is fundamental to the functioning of a modern economy. It enables every production process, whether of goods or services, and facilitates practically every human endeavor. […]