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: The Economics of Public Lands
By: Jennifer Robinson A new article in Land Economics examines the fiscal implications of transferring public lands from the federal government to the states. This article notes that federal land management has always been contentious – just think of the Sagebrush Rebellion in the 1970s. In recent years, there has been an increase in demands from policy makers to transfer federal lands to state control. Legislatures in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming have passed or debated bills aimed at transferring lands to the states over the past few years. Advocates of state control advance[...]
Insight: Utah’s growing cost-of-doing business problem
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in Utah Business The Utah economy celebrated its eighth anniversary of economic growth in June, the second-longest in state history. Currently, the state economy is creating about 45,000 jobs a year. Unemployment remains low at 3.2 percent and inflation-adjusted wages continue to rise. The nice economic winds have been blowing and business is strong. I sense a change in weather in the next 12 to 24 months led by a tight labor market, rising interest rates, the end of the “Trump rally” and something no one is talking about—the rising costs of doing business in[...]
What Would a Marshall Plan for Rural Revitalization Look Like?
"Rural Utah Economic Investment" Remarks Utah Rural Summit Presentation (PowerPoint) Utah Rural Summit Presentation (PDF) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Prosperity) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Building) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Reap What We Grow) Rural Utah Marshall Plan Poster (Key) On August 3rd, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute director Natalie Gochnour presented at the Utah Rural Summit in Cedar City, Utah. The topic: Rural Utah revitalization and a new economic path forward. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has called the economic disparity between parts of rural Utah and urban Utah as “A tale of two[...]
July 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 percent was above the state’s long-term average and among the strongest in the nation. Utah’s construction sector posted the highest job growth in 2016, 6.8 percent.
Insight: Our fight against violent crime begins at home
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in the Deseret News It’s been a violent summer in our community and country. A disturbed man gunned down a mother, her sons and another child as they returned home from school. A drunken fight turned into a murder in Murray. A drug bust in the basement of a Cottonwood Heights home revealed garbage bags full of cash and hundreds of thousands of fake opioid pills. Road rage incidents seem to be a weekly occurrence. And now members of Congress can’t even practice baseball without being targeted with a gun. […]
Ivory-Boyer Second Quarter Report 2017
Construction activity has had a strong start in 2017, with the mid-year numbers at the highest level in 10 years. The number of building permits issued for residential units through the first six months was 11,145, nearly 22 percent higher than 2016 and the highest mid-year level since 2007 (see Figure 1). Total construction valuation at $4.1 billion was also at the highest midyear level since 2007 and five percent above 2016 (see Figure 2).
“Informed Discussions” Podcast: Globalization
What has been the impact of globalization in Utah? Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute senior fellow James Wood concludes the impact of globalization has been widespread and nearly all positive. A big reason for Utah’s international success is that many of the products we manufacturer are largely immune to offshoring. Utah also has a great need for labor to support our growing economy. Immigrants, rather than displacing local workers, have been a welcome source of labor supply. Data on Utah’s foreign born, refugee resettlement, international travel, and international students also reinforce the positive economic impacts of the cross-border movement of[...]
Insight: Major trends with the potential to reshape Utah
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in Utah Business Alvin Toffler was a futurist who wrote extensively about the digital revolution. He popularized the term “information overload” and wrote the landmark book Future Shock, which has sold millions of copies and remains in print today. He died last year, but left a legacy of compelling ideas. I thought about him and his words recently as I led a discussion with the executive committee of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors. We discussed major trends impacting Utah. I thought Utah Business readers would enjoy a quick synopsis of our discussion. […]
Insight: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans
Utah’s Defense Sector: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans (PowerPoint) Utah’s Defense Sector: Economic Impacts of the Military and Veterans (PDF) The Utah Defense Alliance and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs commissioned the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to assess the economic impacts of Utah’s defense industry. The Gardner Policy Institute analyzed the impacts of current operations of Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot, the Utah National Guard, reserves, recruiting, ROTC and expenditures on behalf of veterans. The Institute also examined Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs grants[...]