Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
2024 Great Salt Lake Policy Summary: Lake Partitioning and Other Playa Modifications
The Great Salt Lake Strike Team analyzed ten policy options and created summaries for each. The strike team does not endorse individual policies but rather evaluates the most-discussed options to address Great Salt Lake.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, February 2024 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
Visitors spent a record $11.98 billion in Utah’s economy in 2022, generating 151,800 total jobs and a record $2.12 billion in total state and local tax revenue.
An Economic Summary of Utah’s Cultural Arts Industry, 2022
Utah’s cultural industry, including the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $14.9 billion in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 69,820 Utah jobs in 2022.
The Role of Nonprofit Hospitals in Utah’s Health Care System
The majority of Utah hospitals are nonprofit organizations that provide charity care and medical discounts; community education, services, and research; donations of time and money; and essential health services throughout the state.
Utah Population Committee Estimates Methodology: Estimates for 2020 and Beyond (January 2024)
The Utah Population Committee (UPC) produces annual state and county population estimates for Utah and its counties. This document describes the methodology for the postcensal population estimates produced by the UPC following the release of the state and county-level 2020 Census results.
U.S. and Utah Economic Overview: 2023 Summary and 2024 Outlook
The U.S. and Utah economies remain deeply interconnected. Even with some minor differences in composition and in particular indicators such as unemployment or GDP growth, the state and national economies generally move in tandem. This policy brief summarizes the 2023 performance in the U.S. and Utah economies and provides a 2024 outlook.
Utah Property Tax Myth Busters: Trends and Choices
Property tax remains a topic of significant discussion in Utah. On January 17, 2024, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute co-hosted an event addressing property taxes with the Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center. The Property Tax Myth Busters presentation provides context for the property tax’s place in Utah’s overall state and local tax portfolio, addresses property tax features, and provides an overview of Utah’s current property tax system by addressing some common misconceptions about the property tax.
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2024
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves as an honest broker of informed research, that guides informed discussions and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. We hope this ninth edition of Utah Informed will help you think well in 2024.
2024 Utah Economic Report to the Governor (Highlights)
The Utah Economic Council projects continued economic growth in 2024, albeit at a decelerated pace compared to 2023.
2024 Economic Report to the Governor
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute presented the 36th Economic Report to the Governor to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at the 2024 Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber. The report highlights the resilience of the U.S. economy in 2023 and projects continued, albeit slowed, economic growth in 2024.