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.
Insight: UN Civil Society Conference
By: Thomas Holst The United Nations (UN) selected Salt Lake City as the site last month for its 68th Civil Society Conference, which featured the theme of making “cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by 2030.” Salt Lake City was a model for the conference theme with its 100 percent renewable energy target set out in the Climate Positive 2040 plan. […]
September 2019 Economic Summary
The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top-performing economies in the nation in 2019.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, September 2019 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
In 2018, travelers and tourists spent a record $9.75 billion in Utah. Nonresident visitors spent $8.38 billion of that total, with the largest shares spent on transportation (including gasoline purchases, car rentals, transportation fares, parking), lodging, and dining. Additional nonresident visitor purchases included retail items and groceries, as well as arts, entertainment, and recreation-related activities.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 2nd Quarter 2019
The total statewide value of permit authorized construction in Utah during the first half of 2019 is $4.7 billion (Table 1). The residential sector accounts for almost two-thirds of statewide construction value, totaling $2.9 billion. Activity in the commercial sector remained strong through the second quarter bringing total nonresidential construction value to $1.2 billion, a 13.5 percent increase from mid-year 2018.
Utah System of Higher Education: State Aid Project
USHE commissioned the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to assess system-wide tuition and state aid policies. This report focuses on three main topics: tuition and state aid policies, the economic impacts of nonresident students, and measuring college affordability. This comprehensive report presents a baseline analysis for further policy discussion surrounding state aid in Utah.
Fact Sheet: An Analysis of Labor Supply and Demand in Utah
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development reports that workforce is the number one concern they hear from businesses. Firms talk of difficulty finding an adequate supply of skilled labor. Private-sector employment has grown 3.5 percent annually since 2010. Unemployment rates are at historical lows: 2.8 percent in August 2019. However, wage growth has been sluggish at best, averaging just 1.1 percentage points above inflation since 2010. A tight labor market should lead to faster wage growth as employers compete for the available supply.
Insight: Utah’s Domestic Visitors: Nonresident vs. Resident Travel
By: Jennifer Leaver Utahns know what makes our state special: majestic mountain ranges, red rock deserts, slot canyons, the Western Hemisphere’s largest saltwater lake, world-class winter sports, blue-ribbon trout streams—the list goes on. Did you know that Utah’s natural amenities are the number one draw of domestic nonresident visitors? And that each year, out-of-state visitors spend more money in Utah’s economy than do resident travelers? […]
August 2019 Economic Summary
Outlook 2019—The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top-performing economies in the nation in 2019.
Insight: Utah’s Mental Health Challenges are Significant, but there is a Silver Lining
By: Laura Summers On August 14, 2019, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released a report on Utah’s Mental Health System. This report was produced in collaboration with the Utah Hospital Association and provides a comprehensive review of the current state of mental health services in Utah, highlighting gaps in services, barriers to providing and accessing care, and considerations for improving the system. A few findings from the report include: […]