FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 Trisha Dugovic, Utah System of Higher Education, tdugovic@ushe.edu, 801-717-8451 March 31, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Higher education remains a cornerstone of personal opportunity and statewide prosperity, according to a new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The brief highlights the state’s well-trained workforce, robust economic performance, and strong social fabric, all linked to a long-standing educational commitment. This emphasis on higher education extends beyond economic impacts, contributing to social well-being, civic engagement, and innovation. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 Sophie Silverstone, Division of Family Health, ssilverstone@utah.gov, 385-270-1196 March 18, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Birth trauma, or having a traumatic childbirth experience, is common, but largely remains unrecognized within maternity care. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, produced in collaboration with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, draws on interviews with Utah women who experienced birth trauma to better understand its causes, impacts, and opportunities to improve care. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 March 3, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about the communities of West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, Magna, and Salt Lake City west of I-15. This fifth installment details the region’s housing landscape. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 February 10, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about the communities of West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, Magna, and Salt Lake City west of I-15. The fourth installment presents economic data for the region, including findings around income, poverty, employment, commuting, and business composition. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 February 4, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Founded in 1850, the University of Utah stands as the state’s flagship university and the region’s hub of higher education. The U’s physical presence spans 37 cities and 15 counties in Utah, with additional locations across the United States and worldwide. A new study from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute confirms the U’s significant economic contributions and enduring societal impact through education, research, and health care. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 801-842-9150, nick.thiriot@utah.edu January 16, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute today presented the 38th Economic Report to the Governor to Gov. Spencer Cox at the 2026 Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit. The report reveals that Utah’s economy demonstrated remarkable strength and continued growth in 2025, navigating a complex national landscape. The report projects a path of moderate expansion for the state throughout 2026, building on its solid foundation. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Anna McEntire, USU Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air 435-881-1323, anna.mcentire@usu.edu Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 801-842-9150, nick.thiriot@utah.edu January 7, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Utah continues to make significant strides in stabilizing Great Salt Lake, though the vital ecosystem remains below healthy levels, according to the latest data summary released for the 2026 General Legislative Session. The report, authored by the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, highlights tangible progress in 2025, but underscores the urgent need for sustained and data-driven action to contribute to a durable path forward for Great [...]

Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 January 5, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Early literacy provides a critical foundation for every child’s academic success. However, a new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commissioned by the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, reveals that nearly half of Utah’s K-3 students are not meeting grade-level reading expectations. In 2025, only 50.3% of third graders achieved grade-level proficiency in reading, with similar rates in earlier grades. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 December 29, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Affordable housing remains a critical issue for many Utah families. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute reveals that nearly 30 programs across the state collectively provided $1.4 billion in housing assistance funds to Utah homeowners and renters in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022). This includes funds from across the federal, state, and nonprofit sectors. […]