Informed Discussions Podcast

On February 26, the Institute hosted its quarterly “Storytelling through Data” event, co-sponsored by the Salt Lake Tribune. The topic was Utah’s health care coverage landscape. We were joined by MIT professor and MacArthur Genius Grant winner Amy Finkelstein for a lively discussion on health care reform, coverage, and potential future policy solutions.There are high rates of private health insurance enrollment, low rates of public health insurance program enrollment, and declining uninsured rates in Utah. That said, uninsured rates remain high for some populations, and health care affordability and access are concerns for many Utahns, if not the top concern.We were joined at the event by an expert panel that discussed the U.S. health insurance system and proposals for change in the context of Utah’s health data, markets, and outcomes. We were honored to host Professor Amy Finkelstein. Amy is the John and Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is also the Co-Scientific Director of J-PAL North America, a research center at MIT designed to encourage and facilitate randomized evaluations of important domestic policy issues. Other roles include Co-Director of the Public Economics Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a member of the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Fellow of the Econometric Society. She has received numerous acknowledgments for her work, including the John Bates Clark Medal from the American Economic Association and the MacArthur Fellowship. Her latest book, “We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care”, gives a lively and provocative proposal for health insurance reform.Amy was joined on stage by David Eccles School of Business Professor Allison Witman and Gardner Institute director of industry research Laura Summers. The panel was moderated by Salt Lake Tribune Executive Editor Lauren Gustus. 

Under the direction of the Utah Hospital Association and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the Utah Behavioral Health Coalition convened to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to improving people’s behavioral health. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, in partnership with Leavitt Partners, a Health Management Associates company, assisted the Utah Behavioral Health Coalition in assessing needs, gaps, and challenges in Utah’s behavioral health systems. This assessment informed the development of the Behavioral Health Master Plan.Gardner Institute Director of Industry Research Laura Summers joins the program to discuss the plan in greater detail.

Economic data make abundantly clear that post-secondary education improves lives and supports civil society. Higher educational attainment correlates strongly with increased employment, earnings, and upward mobility, all while supporting civil society through increased voter participation, volunteerism, and more.On February 14, Utah’s university leadership explored the vital importance of Utah’s public system of higher education to the state economy. We were joined by the University of Utah President Taylor Randall, Utah State President Elizabeth Cantwell, Weber State University President Brad Mortensen, and Davis Technical College President Darin Brush.The Gardner Institute also released a technical brief on education's contributions to Utah’s economic dynamism.Gardner Institute Director Natalie Gochnour moderated the conversation. Panelists: University of Utah President Taylor Randall Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell Davis Technical College President Darin Brush Weber State University President Brad Mortensen 

Utah ended the 2023 water year in September with higher-than-average accumulated precipitation. As a result, Great Salt Lake rose five and a half feet at the south arm of the lake after hitting a record low in Fall 2022. Critical issues remain, however, and policymakers continue to address how best to protect and preserve Great Salt Lake and its ecosystem.For our January 2024 Newsmaker Breakfast, the Gardner Institute was joined by decision-makers and policy experts who gave an update on Great Salt Lake, presented new policy sketches, discussed the impact of the 2023 water year, and outlined the next steps for Utah leaders to consider.The latest summary publication synthesizes essential data and insights so decision-makers have the information they need to improve water management, increase water deliveries to the lake, mitigate adverse impacts, and recover the lake to a healthy range.We were joined by an all-star panel of thought leaders and members of the Great Salt Lake Strike Team: Brian Steed, Executive Director, Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air; David Tarboton, Director, Utah Water Research Laboratory; Candice Hasenyager, Director, Utah Division of Water Resources; Paul Brooks, Professor, University of Utah; and William Anderregg, Director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah.The conversation was moderated by Gardner Institute director Natalie Gochnour.

Downtown Salt Lake City is the foremost center for sports, entertainment, culture, and education in the Mountain West. Demographic and economic data show the city’s population is growing, with new construction taking the urban center’s skyline to new heights. In the next few years, Utah’s capital faces an inspiring opportunity to potentially welcome thousands of new residents, a professional sports franchise, a second Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and related entertainment and cultural offerings.These opportunities do not come without challenges. Social, economic, and environmental issues remain that must be addressed if downtown Salt Lake City is to continue to buck the trend of urban decline and instead serve as an example of what is possible for city centers across the nation.On Nov. 30, as part of the “Storytelling through Data” series presented quarterly in partnership with the Salt Lake Tribune, the Gardner Institute was joined by city leaders and decision-makers for an in-depth discussion on the positive economic and demographic indicators that are driving Utah’s capital city’s success, as well as the challenges to be addressed by our leaders as the next chapter for downtown Salt Lake City begins. We were honored to welcome Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer, and Tribune News Reporter Tony Semerad to the panel.The conversation was moderated by Gardner Institute director Natalie Gochnour.

The Gardner Institute employs a senior education analyst and a team of demographers and economists knowledgeable about Utah’s education policies and economy. We also benefit from a newly formed Education Advisory Council that guides our research agenda and supports the development of an education policy practice area. Our focus includes K-12 and higher education research, analysis, and reporting on education policies, Utah demographics, public finance, and the economy.On this episode, Gardner Institute Senior Education Analyst Andrea Brandley walks through the latest data on education's role in the state's economy, Utah's K-12 teacher workforce, and more! 

In the United States, more women are deciding to have children and remain single today than ever before. Almost half of all babies born in the U.S. were born to unmarried women in 2019, a dramatic increase since 1960, when only 5% of births were to unmarried mothers. This trend is not a direct result of divorce; today's unpartnered mothers are more likely never to be married.But what does this trend mean for our future from an economic standpoint?In a new book, "The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind," Dr. Melissa Kearney makes a provocative, data-driven case for marriage by arguing that the institution's decline has led to many economic issues. Eschewing the religious and values-based arguments that have long dominated this conversation, Kearney argues the most significant impacts of marriage are, in fact, economic: when two adults of any gender marry, their financial and household lives improve, offering a host of benefits not only for the married adults but for their children as well. Her research focuses on single mothers, given their outsize number compared to single fathers.On November 8, the Gardner Institute hosted Dr. Kearney at our monthly newsmaker breakfast for an in-depth discussion about her view on the underlying causes of marriage decline in the U.S. and how decision-makers can draw lessons from the data to help the country's future prosperity. The conversation was moderated by Adam Looney, director of the University of Utah's Marriner S. Eccles Institute for Economics and Quantitative Analysis. About the AuthorMelissa S. Kearney is the Neil Moskowitz Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland. She is also the Director of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and a non-resident Senior Fellow at Brookings.Kearney's academic research focuses on domestic policy issues, especially issues related to social policy, poverty, and inequality. Her work has been published in leading academic journals and is frequently cited in the popular press. She has testified before Congress on the topic of U.S. income inequality.About the ModeratorAdam Looney is a professor in the Department of Finance and Executive Director of the Marriner S. Eccles Institute for Economics and Quantitative Analysis. Previously, he was the Joseph A. Pechman senior fellow in Economic Studies at Brookings and the Director of the Center on Regulation and Markets. While at Brookings, he has been called to testify in Congress by members of both parties on tax and student loan policy, and his research has influenced the development of federal tax policies and education reforms.Mr. Looney returned to Brookings in 2017 after three years of service in the U.S. Treasury Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Analysis. At Treasury, he advised the Secretary on economic issues related to tax policy, analyzed current and proposed legislation, and provided the official receipts forecasts and revenue estimates for the Administration’s budgets.

Over the past decade, Utah was the fastest-growing state in the nation, and that growth continues – Utah is projected to reach five million people by 2050. Envision Utah’s recent Values Study highlighted that for the first time in 20 years, more Utahns feel pessimistic about the impacts of growth rather than positive. Utah is growing because it is a great place to live, but our future life quality depends on our choices today.A statewide conversation called Guiding our Growth was launched this year to engage Utahns in exploring how to keep Utah a great place for our families and communities as we grow. Results of this conversation will be shared.The second key element to addressing our growth challenges is planning to effectively accommodate growth. Along the Wasatch Front, the newly refreshed Wasatch Choice Vision outlines a plan for coordinating transportation investments, development patterns, and economic opportunities. It serves as a blueprint for growth over the next 30 years.We were joined for our October 2023 Newsmaker Breakfast by the decision-maker dream team to discuss growth in Utah and shared efforts to maintain life quality in Utah for generations to come.The conversation was moderated by Gardner Institute Director Natalie Gochnour.Panelists:Laura Hanson, State Planning Coordinator, Governor’s Office of Planning and BudgetAri Bruening, Chief Executive Officer, Envision UtahAndrew Gruber, Executive Director, Wasatch Front Regional Council

One of the major headlines from the 2020 Census is the significant aging of the population in the United States. This data reveals that the U.S. population 65 and older grew faster between 2010 and 2020 than in any decade since 1890. This same data shows a spike in the growth of the older population in Utah, too. While the 65 and older population nationwide grew an impressive 39% last decade, Utah’s 65 and older population grew 53% between 2010 and 2020. During the same period, Utah’s overall population grew 18% (making Utah the fastest-growing state in the nation). Gardner Institute Public Policy Analyst Heidi Prior and Director of Demographic Research Mallory Bateman join the podcast to discuss the release. Heidi recently authored a fact sheet that breaks down the latest data, both in a state and national context.

Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values.On today's episode, we honor our third recipient: Friends of Great Salt Lake. The mission of Friends of Great Salt Lake is to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and increase public awareness and appreciation of the Lake through education, research, advocacy, and the arts. Water levels at Great Salt Lake are in decline – hitting the lowest elevation in 2022. This threatens economic activity, a globally important ecosystem, local public health, and essential contributions to the state’s water cycle. The work of Friends of Great Salt Lake is more important than ever.Friends of Great Salt Lake Executive Director Lynn de Freitas recently sat down with Informed Decision Maker Award Committee Chair Chris Redgrave to discuss the organization's important work on behalf of our state.

The COVID-19 pandemic years created unmatched volatility in Utah's housing market. Building permits for residential units increased by 26% in 2021, only to fall by 26% in 2022. The pandemic joins the Great Recession as one of those unique moments in Utah's housing market. The recession produced 16 consecutive quarters of declining housing prices, while the pandemic produced the shortest and steepest homebuilding expansion and contraction on record.The Gardner Institute's latest report, "State of the State's Housing Market", provides a detailed analysis of current housing market conditions in Utah. The report provides information on five key areas: residential construction activity, existing homes sales, the housing shortage, prices and affordability, and a 2023 and 2024 forecast.On September 13, researchers joined leading industry experts at the Institute’s monthly Newsmaker Breakfast for an in-depth discussion on the report and what the data mean for the future of Utah's housing market. The conversation was moderated by Gardner Institute Senior Research Fellow and Scholar Dejan Eskic. Darlene CarterChief Executive OfficerC.W. GroupKristen MatthewsVice PresidentJohn Burns Real Estate ConsultingJim WoodIvory-Boyer Senior FellowKem C. Gardner Policy InstituteDejan EskicSenior Research Fellow and ScholarKem C. Gardner Policy Institute

On August 31, the Gardner Institute hosted a special Newsmaker Breakfast on the role and importance of a diverse democracy and civil society in American life. We were joined by newly named University of Utah Impact Scholar Dr. Eboo Patel, who joins the U for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years Eboo is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Beginning this fall, Eboo and his Interfaith America team will work closely with University of Utah Vice President Mary Ann Villarreal and the Division of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) to engage in a range of interfaith consulting activities across the U campus and state. Over the course of this partnership, Eboo and the EDI Division will identify and explore opportunities for advancing interfaith cooperation in ways that enrich the U and our entire community.Eboo was joined for the conversation by Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson and Dr. Villarreal, which took a wide lens look and then focused on what it takes to create more unity in our country and state. The panelists discussed our nation’s standing as the most religiously diverse nation in human history and why that’s important. They also talked about our own state, how we can do even better in creating opportunities for all, and how to build bridges, tear down walls, and unify as a people. The discussion was moderated by Gardner Institute director Natalie Gochnour.PanelistsDr. Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith AmericaUtah Lt. Governor Deidre HendersonDr. Mary Ann Villarreal, Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Utah

Utah’s tourism economy has experienced a strong recovery since the pandemic more than three years ago. Visitor spending, jobs, and tax revenue have all surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Utah’s ski industry reported another record year, while the state’s “Mighty 5” national parks and state parks continue to attract visitors from across the nation and around the world.The success of the tourism economy, like the overall success of the state, creates an imperative for tourism leaders to think more strategically than ever. Success is measured not only by annual return on investment, but by industry initiatives supporting a perpetual visitor economy, such as expanding outdoor recreation and transportation infrastructure; also maintaining the quality of the experience for visitors and residents alike.This month, we were joined at our monthly Newsmaker Breakfast by Vicki Varela, Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism; Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO, Visit Salt Lake; Natalie Randall, Executive Director, Utah Tourism Industry Association; and Jennifer Leaver, Senior Tourism Analyst, at the Gardner Institute to discuss the opportunities and challenges of Utah’s travel and tourism industry and present an outlook for this critical sector of Utah’s economic success.  The conversation was moderated by Gardner Institute Director Natalie Gochnour. 

As Utah moves forward after the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the state have returned to the classroom after an extended period of school closures and remote learning. These disruptions have led to significant learning gaps across various age groups, testing subjects, and racial and ethnic backgrounds. According to recent analysis by the Gardner Institute, 35 Utah school districts declined in learning proficiency rates from 2019 to 2022. Five districts improved. One was unchanged.Hear from state officials and local experts for a discussion and deep dive into the data on Utah’s post-pandemic learning gap, and what that data reveal about potential policy solutions. The conversation was moderated by Salt Lake Tribune Editor Lauren Gustus.PanelistsJohn Arthur, 2021 Utah School Teacher of the YearRep. Susan Pulsipher, Utah State House of RepresentativesSara Reale Utah State Board of Education, District 5

Utah's bonded indebtedness. which incurs debt solely for capital expenses, stands in sharp contrast to that of the United States. Federal government debt as a percent of the U.S. economy, currently at over 120% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has raised serious concerns about future economic stability. The debate over federal debt policy and borrowing has recently been exacerbated by a looming deadline to raise the national debt ceiling to avoid default.Gardner Institute Chief Economist Phil Dean and Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Mike Christensen were joined at the May 2023 Newsmaker Breakfast by former Utah State Treasurer David Damschen and Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget Chief Economist Dr. Robbi Foxxe to discuss the history of Utah and U.S. debt policy, how and why Utah's borrowing practices contrast with the federal government, and how the future of debt may impact economic well-being. 

Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values.On today's episode, we honor our fourth recipient: Switchpoint Community Resource Center. Founded in 2014, Switchpoint provides temporary shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness in Washington County. Their guiding vision states that every individual embodies their worth and value with self-esteem, hope, and abilities restored. As a result of their efforts, more than 9,200 people have been sheltered or received services. In addition to their housing services, Switchpoint provides access to job-training programs, food pantries, daycare for pets, 24/7 childcare facilities, and community soup kitchens that provide free hot meals to those in need.Switchpoint Executive Director Carol Hollowell recently sat down with Chris Redgrave, Chair of the Informed Decision Maker Award Committee, to discuss the organization and their work on behalf of the community.

Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values.On today's episode, we honor our second recipient: Comunidades Unidas. Comunidades Unidas is dedicated to building the social and political power of people who identify as Latinx immigrants living in Utah. The organization connects individuals with the social service programs they need to succeed and the tools necessary to lift up their communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Comunidades Unidas connected thousands of individuals to critical resources and aided in the administration of over 4,000 COVID-19 vaccinations with the support of the Salt Lake County Health Department.Comunidades Unidas Director Mayra Cedano sat down with Chris Redgrave, Chair of the Informed Decision Maker Award selection committee, to discuss the organization's work in the community.

Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them “Informed Decision Makers” and select them based on criteria consistent with the Institute’s committable core values.On today's episode, we honor our first recipient: Heidi Walker. Heidi serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest and statewide business association. She began working with the Chamber in 1998 as the director of business development and now has operational responsibility for finances, strategic planning, public policy, communications, and events and programs. Known for her strong work ethic and collaborative skills, Heidi helps to guide other local organizations through service on the boards of the Women’s Leadership Institute, Utah State Chamber, Utah Foundation, Women’s Business Center, Dominion Foundation Board, and the American Chamber of Commerce CCE Commission.Heidi recently sat down with Chris Redgrave, Chair of the Informed Decision Maker Awards Committee, to discuss her career and what this award means to her. 

The federal government took emergency steps over the weekend of March 10th to prevent a broader run on the banks after the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the second largest bank failure in U.S. history, followed by the collapse of New York’s Signature Bank, which became the third largest bank failure in U.S. history. Over the course of a weekend, there was mounting fear and general uncertainty of what this all meant for the banking system at large, and what it meant closer to home for Utahns and the local economy. Tune in to hear Gardner Institute Chief Economist Phil Dean discuss the events surrounding the collapse and what the potential economic impacts could be. 

Declining water levels of Great Salt Lake threaten economic activity, local public health, and ecosystems. The situation requires urgent action. Fortunately, science provides crucial perspective, understanding, and scenarios for policymakers to chart a path forward. Many policy levers can help return the lake to healthy levels. Utah’s research universities formed the Great Salt Lake Strike Team to provide a primary point of contact for policymakers as they address the economic, health, and ecological challenges created by the record-low elevation of Great Salt Lake. We are joined by Gardner Institute Public Policy Analyst Eric Albers, who has helped staff and support the effort.