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.
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.
Defining Utah’s Middle Class
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.
Insight: Utah Foundation’s Health Cost Series examines cost drivers
By: Utah Foundation Staff Editor’s note: The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute occasionally publishes blogs from partners in our community. This blog features research by the Utah Foundation. 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 health care costs and policy, and in turn help people formulate INFORMED DECISIONS™. In 2016, Utah Foundation’s Priorities Project found that the cost of health care was Utahns’ biggest concern. In response, Utah Foundation produced a three-part[...]
September 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%.