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.
Featured Research
February 2018 Economic Summary
The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2017, contributing a total of 43,500 new jobs over the year. The consensus forecast predicts moderating- but still healthy - job and wage growth, low unemployment, and increased net migration in 2018.
January Economic Summary
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%.
2018 Economic Report to the Governor (Highlights)
The 2018 Economic Report to the Governor is the 30th publication in this series. Through the last three decades, the Economic Report to the Governor has served as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy.
2018 Economic Report to the Governor
The 2018 Economic Report to the Governor is the 30th publication in this series. Through the last three decades, the Economic Report to the Governor has served as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy.
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2018
The third edition of Utah Informed shows the fruits of Utahns' hard work and the challenges that remain. The tables, charts, ideas, and schematics force the viewer to consider a compelling trend, an innovative idea or an aspirational thought. We call it “visual intellection” because the information both inspires and causes discomfort. We want to make your think. This year, many businesses and individuals have joined the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute as “Partners in the Community.” These partners help fund the public purpose research of the institute so we can help Utah prosper. Our goal is to be honest [...]
Utah: Scrabbling for Innovation absent a Crisis
The 2017 Utah legislative session, an intensely busy 45 days, focused heavily on tax reform, funding of public schools, and addressing the state’s homeless crisis. At the conclusion of the session, the FY18 budget totaled $16.2 billion, a seven percent increase over the FY17 budget. Public schools received a large increase in funding—in total a seven percent increase to address student growth and other programs. The discussions about tax reform failed to produce any agreements and will likely be addressed in the 2018 session. Although homelessness was addressed with more than $12 million in funding for new homeless shelters, low-income [...]
Ivory-Boyer Fourth Quarter Report 2017
The value for all types of permit authorized construction totaled $8.21 billion, a 3.9 percent decrease from 2016 (inflation adjusted dollars) (see Figure 1). The decline in total construction value can be attributed to Salt Lake City issuing a permit for $566 million in 2016 for the redevelopment of the Salt Lake City International Airport. Without this permit, the total construction value for 2017 would be approximately 3 percent higher than in 2016.
December Economic Summary
The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2016, contributing a total of 49,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.6% was above the state’s long-term average and among the strongest in the nation. In 2016, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 6.8%.
November Economic Summary
The Utah economy remains healthy. Every major industrial sector expanded in 2016, contributing a total of 49,500 new jobs over the year. An annual employment growth rate of 3.6% was above the state’s long-term average and among the strongest in the nation. In 2016, Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth with 6.8%.
Video: Utah’s Long-Term Demographic and Economic Projections
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently co-hosted the Utah Legislature at a policy summit focused on Utah’s future. The summit opened with this video, which highlights growth and change in Utah. The video presents the findings of the state’s long-term demographic and economic projections such as growth, urbanization, declining fertility, sustained in-migration and an aging population.
