Recent Research2024-03-18T14:14:21-06:00

Recent Research

Recently Published

The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute


609, 2019

Utah System of Higher Education: State Aid Project

September 6th, 2019|

USHE commissioned the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to assess system-wide tuition and state aid policies. This report focuses on three main topics: tuition and state aid policies, the economic impacts of nonresident students, and measuring college affordability. This comprehensive report presents a baseline analysis for further policy discussion surrounding state aid in Utah.

209, 2019

Fact Sheet: An Analysis of Labor Supply and Demand in Utah

September 2nd, 2019|

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development reports that workforce is the number one concern they hear from businesses. Firms talk of difficulty finding an adequate supply of skilled labor. Private-sector employment has grown 3.5 percent annually since 2010. Unemployment rates are at historical lows: 2.8 percent in August 2019. However, wage growth has been sluggish at best, averaging just 1.1 percentage points above inflation since 2010. A tight labor market should lead to faster wage growth as employers compete for the available supply.

109, 2019

Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute 500-Day Strategic Plan, September 2019

September 1st, 2019|

This 500-Day Plan serves as a tool to guide our work in helping people make informed decisions. The plan includes our vision, mission, values, strategic objectives, action steps, and key performance indicators to guide the daily and long-term direction of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. We view this strategic plan as a rolling 500-day plan with a 5,000-day horizon. We present the plan in outline format to make each of the elements readily available.

2008, 2019

August 2019 Economic Summary

August 20th, 2019|

Outlook 2019—The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top-performing economies in the nation in 2019.

1408, 2019

Utah’s Mental Health System

August 14th, 2019|

Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis. Increasing suicide rates, untreated anxiety and depression among our youth, traumatic brain injuries, and serious mental illness are all signs of the need for accessible, affordable, and comprehensive mental health services. Utah is not exempt from this crisis. Utah has a high rate of adults with mental illness, but a shortage of mental health providers.

1208, 2019

Preschool Development Grant, Ages Birth–Five Qualitative Deliberative Group Data to Inform State Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Services

August 12th, 2019|

In May and June of 2019, deliberative groups of parents and early childhood service providers in communities throughout Utah identified challenges and barriers to learning about and accessing early childhood services. Some difficulties, such as a lack of knowledge about the existence of programs, eligibility requirements, and childhood development markers, were noted in all communities. Barriers also varied by community, such as the need for language translation to understand application forms and websites, or a sizable portion of the community living without cars or driver’s licenses. Participants offered ideas to raise awareness about programs, and suggested website names and search [...]

2507, 2019

July 2019 Economic Summary

July 25th, 2019|

The consensus forecast predicts moderating–but still healthy–job and wage growth, and low unemployment. Internal risks to the Utah economy include the supply of workers, increasing interest rates, housing affordability, and air quality. The nation is entering a late business cycle which may also present challenges. Demographic advantages, an appealing business climate, and increasing labor force participation will continue to be an advantage for the economy. All going well, Utah will once again be one of the top performing economies in the nation in 2019.

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