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: Greatest Snow on Earth? Utah Ski Industry Highlighted
By: Jennifer Leaver As Utah experienced heavy snowfall this past ski season, thousands of tourists and native Utahns pulled out their ski gear and made their way up to the several ski resorts to enjoy the fresh powder. The easy access to world renowned skiing has always been a point of pride for Utahns, even to the point of mentioning the quality snow on our license plates. This past December at the Gardner Policy Institute, Ski Utah CEO Nathan Rafferty joined Natalie Gochnour for a conversation about Utah’s $1.4 billion ski industry. […]
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2018
Utah is home to 14 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City) and 10 resorts less than an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.
November 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. 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%.
Ivory-Boyer Third Quarter Construction Report 2018
Utah’s construction activity remains strong through September 2018. The year-to-date statewide value of construction in 2018 eclipsed $6.5 billion, a five percent increase over third quarter 2017. Residential construction remains the principle driver at $4 billion statewide, 61 percent of total construction value, a share not seen since 2006 (Figure 1). Year-to-date, 18,761 permits have been issued for residential units, over 1,000 more units than this time last year. Third quarter permits for residential units in 2018 are eight percent less than third quarter 2017. It is likely the state will see more growth in 2018 than 2017 and
Insight: What’s Being Said About Utah?
By: Laura Summers Fall is hands-down my favorite season. The weather is cooling, the holidays are nearing, and Utah’s already-beautiful canyons become breathtaking. Fall is also when the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and the National Association of Medicaid Directors release results from their annual 50-state Medicaid survey. […]
Social Determinants of Health: A National Perspective
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).
A Visual Guide to Tax Modernization in Utah
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.
Insight: Has Utah Become a Middle-Wage State? And Can Utah Become a High-Wage State?
By: Matthew Weinstein, State Priorities Partnership Director, Voices for Utah Children Editor’s note: The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute occasionally publishes blogs from partners in our community. This blog features research by Voices for Utah Children. The opinions and research expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position or research by the Gardner Policy Institute. We hope the information shared contributes to Utahns’ understanding of wages, and in turn help people formulate INFORMED DECISIONS™. For many years, Utah economists have debated the question of whether or not it is accurate to say that[...]
October 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. 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%.
The Root of the Issue: Utah’s Social Determinants of Health Symposium Proceedings
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.