Public Finance
The Gardner Institute employs a team of economists who specialize in public finance. We also benefit from a Public Finance Council that guides our research agenda and supports the development of a public finance practice area. Our research focus areas include, but are not limited to: tax policy, revenue forecasting, fiscal impacts, budget stress-testing, budget transparency, and public finance best practices.
Fiscal Contrast: An Analysis of State and Federal Fiscal Processes
States and the federal government both employ sovereign fiscal powers to tax, spend, and borrow, although their fiscal approaches differ starkly.
Growing but Narrowing: Long-Term Structural Changes in Utah’s Sales Tax Base
Utah’s sales tax base grew with inflation and population growth in recent decades but failed to pace with economic growth until recently.
Decoding the Income Tax Earmark: Proposed Changes to Utah’s Constitution
On the November 2024 ballot, voters will decide whether or not to amend the Utah Constitution to allow the use of income tax revenue for any public function, contingent on maintaining certain school funding provisions.
Utah State Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Review: A Growing State and Budget
As a rapidly changing state, Utah faces major economic and demographic transitions. Legislative budget priorities for FY 2025, which begins July 1, 2024, address current and future transitions.
Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Tax
Salt Lake County collected $36.7 million in ZAP tax revenue in fiscal year 2023, supporting organizations that collectively employ nearly 15,000 individuals and receive over 11 million visitors annually.
A Tale of Two Recessions: How Utah’s Sales Tax Performed Over Recent Business Cycles
Utah’s sales tax performed differently during recent recessions, and now approaches a new normal amid structural changes.
Policy Brief: The Value of Higher Education
Utah’s degree-granting institutions also train Utah’s workforce, generate significant economic contributions as major employers in the communities they serve, and create discoveries that improve life quality.
Utah Property Tax Myth Busters: Trends and Choices
Property tax remains a topic of significant discussion in Utah. On January 17, 2024, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute co-hosted an event addressing property taxes with the Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center. The Property Tax Myth Busters presentation provides context for the property tax’s place in Utah’s overall state and local tax portfolio, addresses property tax features, and provides an overview of Utah’s current property tax system by addressing some common misconceptions about the property tax.
2024 Utah Economic Report to the Governor Highlights
The Utah Economic Council projects continued economic growth in 2024, albeit at a decelerated pace compared to 2023.
Public Health Practice: Effective Technical Assistance Modalities to Support Chronic Disease Prevention Programming
Stakeholders pursuing Medicaid coverage of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program must engage in intensive and intentional activity. Effective technical assistance (TA) can support stakeholders in reaching the activity level necessary to gain coverage and successfully deliver the program to Medicaid beneficiaries.