PRESS RELEASE
March 22, 2004

Contact: Stephen Kroes, Executive Director
(801) 272-8824, ext. 5
(801) 573-8824 (mobile)
steve@utahfoundation.org

Utah Foundation Unveils Top Ten Issues of Concern in the 2004 Gubernatorial Election

Utahns are be feeling optimistic about the state's future, although research shows that they continue to be concerned about a number of issues. On Monday, March 22, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda, Utah Foundation will unveil a new program entitled Utah Priorities, which includes a top ten list of issues of most concern in the 2004 gubernatorial election. In the context of the Governor's race, this project will ensure that voters and the candidates are well informed on crucial issues and that the voters clearly understand what each candidate would do to address these issues.

"The Utah Priorities Project is something that has never been attempted in Utah," says Executive Director of Utah Foundation, Stephen Kroes. "As an independent research organization, we are able to bring a unique nonpartisan perspective to the issues, and provide ongoing information on how the candidates are addressing them."

Results of the research

Utah's Top 10 Issues for 2004
1. Public education
2. Creating jobs & economic development
3. Water supply and quality
4. Children's health and other health care issues
5. Crime, security and safety
6. Higher education
7. Taxes
8. Dealing with growth in Utah
9. Environment, air quality, and hazardous waste
10. Parental rights

In January this year, Utah Foundation conducted professional, scientific polling of registered voters to understand which public issues are of most importance to them and why those issues are important. An executive summary of the Utah Priorities poll is attached to this release. If it did not transmit, please find the summary at: www.utahfoundation.org/pdf2/rr665summary.pdf.

The release of this information includes a detailed research report on the results. Utah Foundation will also begin to gather each candidate's responses with details on how he or she would address the issues identified as top priorities by the voters. The candidates' responses will then be published in April, in time to inform party delegates for the May conventions.

Informative, Interactive Website

As part of the Utah Priorities project, a new website is dedicated to the discussion of the top ten issues. Designed by a firm with extensive experience creating high-traffic sites, the website will include research papers on topics related to the top ten issues, responses from candidates on how to address the issues, quick fact sheets, listings of events that address those topics, links to news articles on the topics, and other information.

Utah Foundation has secured commitments from each major gubernatorial candidates to respond to research findings on the featured issues and to answer questions about those issues. Candidates' written answers will be published on the website, with a level of detail that allows voters to fully understand their positions and plans of action. Visit the website at www.utahpriorities.net

Bi-Weekly Research Briefs

Utah Priorities will publish bi-weekly research briefs in 2004 on the top ten issues identified -- beginning this month. These will provide graphs, data, and analysis to inform readers about the importance of the issue; efforts that have been made to address the problems, and other information to inform the electorate and the candidates. These briefs will be available at no cost to anyone who subscribes at the website.

In-Depth Research Reports

Beginning this summer, Utah Foundation will publish extensive research reports on three of the most important issues identified. Candidates for Governor will respond to each report with detailed descriptions of their agenda for addressing the issues identified in the research.

Educational Forums

For several months leading up to the election in 2004, Utah Priorities will hold bi-weekly forums to educate voters on these issues and to discuss further their concerns. These will be co-sponsored by the Hinckley Institute of Politics.

The Media

Utah Foundation staff will work closely with the press to encourage feature coverage of these top ten priorities throughout the election season. "We are excited about this project's potential to inform voters and candidates and its ability to help Utahns make the best choice possible next November," says Kroes. "The next governor will lead this state for many years, and this kind of information will help ensure we all make a wise choice."

Utah Foundation is a nonprofit, non-advocacy research organization. Our mission is to encourage informed public policy making and to serve as Utah's trusted source for independent, objective research on crucial public policy issues. Learn more about the Utah Priorities project and Utah Foundation at www.utahpriorities.net and or www.utahfoundation.org.

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