Public Policy
The Gardner Institute provides data-driven, context-specific insights about public policy in Utah. We prepare in-depth quantitative and qualitative studies on key Utah issues in partnership with private-sector stakeholders and state and local government. Our research provides vital information decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Utah welcomes the world in less than a decade. The decisions made during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games prepared Utah to host again, but the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be larger and present different challenges and opportunities.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Taxation
Utah's leaders face challenging decisions when weighing tax reform options. They must keep laser focused on Utah’s changing economy and aging population.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Technology Capital
Utah’s engineering and computer science jobs more than doubled from 2000 to 2022, significantly outpacing the nation and firmly establishing Utah as a technology capital.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Transportation
As Utah’s population grows and becomes more diverse, Utahns must be prepared to invest in transportation choices to maintain the state’s mobility, health, economy, and life quality.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Medicaid
Medicaid and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 353,000 Utahns with low income as of February 2025.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Travel and Tourism Industry
In FY2024, over 1,200 federal employees worked in tourism-related jobs in Utah, including 658 in leisure and hospitality (includes national parks and recreation jobs) and 605 at the Federal Aviation Association (FAA).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Defense in Utah
Approximately 55,000 defense employees work in Utah, consisting of federal defense civilian employees (over 19,000), military personnel (almost 16,000), and employees of private defense contractors (roughly 20,200).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Utah Public Lands
The federal government owns 64.4% of Utah’s total land area (35.0 million out of 54.3 million acres). The federal government holds in trust for tribal nations an additional 4.5% of the state’s land.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Deficit and Debt
The federal government spends 39% more annually than its revenue collections, resulting in a deficit ($1.9 trillion in FY 2024).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Employment in Utah
Nearly 57,000 federal employees work in Utah, consisting of non-defense civilian employees (nearly 22,000), defense civilian employees (about 19,000), and military personnel (roughly 16,000).
