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.

1511, 2018

Social Determinants of Health: A National Perspective

November 15th, 2018|

The majority of a person's health is impacted by factors outside of the health care system: genetics, social, environmental, and behavioral. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes (HealthyPeople.gov).

1311, 2018

A Visual Guide to Tax Modernization in Utah

November 13th, 2018|

Utahns share a common interest in a state and local tax system that provides for our needs, keeps the economy strong, and remains viable over the long term. This visual guide to tax modernization presents economic and demographic realities impacting Utah’s current sales and use tax system.

111, 2018

October 2018 Economic Summary

November 1st, 2018|

The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2017, contributing a total of 43,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.1% is on par with the state’s long-term average and is among the strongest in the nation. In 2017, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 5.4%.

2910, 2018

The Root of the Issue: Utah’s Social Determinants of Health Symposium Proceedings

October 29th, 2018|

On August 17, 2018, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Hatch Center for Civility & Solutions jointly hosted the annual Kem C. Gardner Policy Symposium “The Root of the Issue: Utah’s Social Determinants of Health.” The symposium focused on strategies and innovations for addressing social determinants of health, which are the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and play that affect their health risks and outcomes.

810, 2018

Defining Utah’s Middle Class

October 8th, 2018|

At the request of the President’s Office at the University of Utah and in support of the Alliance for the American Dream, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute reviewed leading definitions of the middle class, with an emphasis on income-based measures. We estimated middle class income levels and populations for Utah and the U.S. for selected years since 1980. We expect these definitions and results will support efforts to create pathways to Utah’s middle class and improve stability for people already there.

2809, 2018

September 2018 Economic Summary

September 28th, 2018|

The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2017, contributing a total of 43,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.1% is on par with the state’s long-term average and is among the strongest in the nation. In 2017, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 5.4%.

2009, 2018

Utah’s Strategic Clusters: Performance, Benefits, Workforce Needs, and Rural Utah

September 20th, 2018|

Utah’s six strategic clusters were designated in June 2005 and November 2006 and became the focus of economic development efforts. This report evaluates their performance before and since inception relative to the rest of the state’s economy and relative to their performance nationwide. It analyzes the clusters’ resilience during the Great Recession and its recovery, and assesses prospects for future growth. We also examine the economic benefits the clusters provide through their supply chain connections to the rest of the state’s economy. We analyze workforce needs by examining growth forecasts for the top occupations used by each cluster. We assess [...]

1909, 2018

Ivory-Boyer Second Quarter 2018 Construction Report

September 19th, 2018|

The value of all permit authorized construction in Utah during the first half of 2018 was $4.3 billion. Residential construction has been the principle driver at $2.7 billion, a 15.9 percent increase from mid-year 2017. Similarly, the number of building permits for new residential permits is up 13.7 percent from 2017, with 12,772 permits issued statewide (Figure 1). Condominium, townhome, and duplex permits led the state in residential growth with a 25 percent increase in units from January through June 2018. Nonresidential construction experienced a 15.4 percent drop in value compared to mid-year 2017. Additions, alterations, and repairs experienced a [...]

409, 2018

August 2018 Economic Summary

September 4th, 2018|

The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2017, contributing a total of 43,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.1% is on par with the state’s long-term average and is among the strongest in the nation. In 2017, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 5.4%.

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