October 20, 2020(Salt Lake Tribune) - There are a number of constitutional amendments on the ballot confronting Utah voters this November. The Utah Foundation provided summaries and brief analyses of each in its recent report On the Ballot: Constitutional Amendments Nov. 3, 2020. But by far the most controversial item is Amendment G, which expands the potential uses of income tax revenue. Currently, Utah’s income taxes are dedicated to public and higher education alone. The amendment would broaden the named uses. … Continued
October 19, 2020(Fox 13) - Utah voters will soon decide on an issue that could impact school children for years to come. If approved, Constitutional Amendment G will expand the way the state spends income tax revenue. Currently, income tax revenue must be used to fund public or higher education. Amendment G would allow income tax funds to be spent for “supporting children and supporting people with a disability.” “The main thing behind this is legislature wanted more flexibility. They … Continued
October 17, 2020(Salt Lake Tribune) - Voters can find additional information about ballot measures at the Utah Foundation’s On the Ballot initiative or in Utah’s voting guide.
October 16, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - How have Utah’s homeless service providers dealt with the pandemic? Where are the efforts to address service gaps going? How should we approach those who remain on the streets from a policy standpoint? Utah Foundation’s next Breakfast Briefing discussion will feature a panel of experts on the topic…
October 15, 2020(Fox News) - The State of Utah is set to vote on seven proposed Constitutional ballot amendments in November, on issues including how education is funded and modernizing language around gender. Here is a breakdown of each one by the Utah Foundation, a non-profit organization, as part of its “On the Ballot” analysis project. Four of the following seven amendments were the result of resolutions supported unanimously on the state house and senate floors, the Foundation’s webpage reads. “One was … Continued
October 16, 2020(Standard-Examiner) - Aside from the voter pamphlet, the Utah Foundation, a nonprofit research group, has prepared a synopsis of the proposed amendments, available at utahfoundation.org/uploads/rr779.pdf. Here’s a look at the other proposed constitutional amendments…
October 14, 2020(KUTV 2) - Utah Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit search organization, compiled a comprehensive background and analysis of each amendment. The report also explains what would happen if Utahns vote for or against the amendments. The following information was provided by the Utah Foundation, that does not support or oppose any of the constitutional amendments in the report. Read it here.
October 12, 2020(Deseret News) - Voters can choose to march to the drum of political tribalism, or to build on a foundation of truth. At the old Hotel Utah, 75 years ago this fall, a group of business and civic leaders gathered to form a new organization. They came from various professional and political backgrounds. But they were united by a vision to create an organization that would serve as an independent voice to help Utah address its problems. … Continued
October 11, 2020(Fox 13) - Utah Foundation is breaking down poll numbers that show the issues of most concern to Utah voters heading into November’s election. A series of Utah Priorities Project briefs found Utah voters are most concerned about healthcare, government spending, education, the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have two main survey questions that really shed some light on the issues and how people feel about this,” said Shawn Teigen, research director of Utah Foundation.
October 07, 2020(KUER) - Earlier this summer, nearly 25% of people in a survey by the Utah Foundation listed COVID-19 and public health as their top concern. However, just how important it was varied based on a number of demographics like age, gender and political ideology. According to the nonprofit research organization, more than 90% of liberals said the state reopened its economy too quickly, while about 40% of moderate conservatives felt the same. As for age, people 75 … Continued
October 06, 2020(Salt Lake Tribune) - A newly released survey by the nonprofit Utah Foundation shows that back in early July, the state’s residents were split along political lines about mask wearing and how Utah was then handling the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, 56% of Utahns thought the state had reopened the economy too quickly after the pandemic started, while 44% thought the reopening was too cautious. More than 9 out of 10 liberals said the reopening was too fast, while … Continued
October 06, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation has released the fifth in a series of Utah Priorities Project briefs looking at Utah voters’ top concerns. Public health / COVID-19 pandemic ranked fifth in the summer survey, and drove the major concerns around the top four priorities. Public health / COVID-19 pandemic was the top issue for more than 25% of respondents – the single most likely top issue. It was a top-five issue across almost all demographic groups.
October 06, 2020(Cache Valley Daily) - A statement from Voices for Utah Children released Tuesday argued that the state’s K-12 public education system has ranked last in the nation in per-pupil investment since 1988. The group attributes that funding shortfall to the fact that “Utah’s overall level of taxation is now at its lowest level in 50 years relative to Utahns’ incomes, following multiple rounds of tax cutting.” Weinstein added that a recent survey by the Utah Foundation revealed that 75 … Continued
October 06, 2020(KSL.com) - Fiscal Policy Analyst Matthew Weinstein said survey data from the Utah Foundation show that 74% of Utahns oppose cutting taxes further and are ready and willing to pay higher taxes to help solve the state’s current challenges in areas like education, air quality and transportation. Weinstein said the finding was consistent with a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted prior to the economic slowdown and school closures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as … Continued
October 06, 2020(Deseret News) - While Utahns largely remain divided over what, if any, measures need to be taken to stem the spread, a Utah Foundation survey released Tuesday found that public health as it relates to COVID-19 is among the top five issues for voters now across all demographics except for those who have lived in the state for between 21 and 40 years, and people with less than a bachelor’s degree. The foundation also found that the pandemic … Continued
October 01, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - In this episode of Utah Thrives, produced by Utah Foundation, we hear Spencer Cox and Chris Peterson talk about Utahns’ top priorities: * Health care (costs and accessibility) * State taxes and government spending * K-12 education * Jobs and the economy * Public health / COVID-19 pandemic
September 30, 2020(KSL.com) - A study by the Utah Foundation showed that health care is the most important issue for Utah voters this election cycle. So what did the candidates have to say on the matter?
September 25, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - The Utah Foundation has release the fourth in a series of Utah Priorities Project briefs looking at Utah voters’ top concerns. Jobs and the economy ranked fourth in July, rising from 12th at the beginning of March. The increase in concern is largely driven by the national economic crisis. When drilling down into specific aspects of the economy, more than half of Utah voters prioritized earning enough to support their families. Around a quarter of … Continued
September 20, 2020(Wasatch Gazette) - Mike Parsons, Public Affairs Director at Cumulus Media, sat down with Utah Foundation Research Director Shawn Teigen to talk about Utah Priority No. 3: Kindergarten through 12th Grade Education. The conversation was part of the Wasatch Gazette that plays on Sundays on: B98.7 KBER101 K-Bull 93.3 860am Power94.9 Listen to the interview here.
September 18, 2020(Salt Lake Tribune) - Chris Peterson, the Democratic candidate for Utah governor, says it would be a mistake to view him as a “wild-eyed liberal.” Sure, the University of Utah law professor believes people who are well-off should contribute more to society than those who are less able. But that’s a lesson he learned from the Bible, which teaches that “to whom more is given, a little bit more needs to be expected,” Peterson said Thursday during a gubernatorial … Continued
September 18, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - I kind of like policy wonks. These are the cerebral people who usually work behind the scenes, exploring and explaining public policy problems, coming up with research, reports and solutions, and trying to make the world a better place. I make a distinction between “pure” policy wonks and the elected officials who are often their bosses. Certainly, many politicians are also policy wonks, but their perspectives are influenced by partisan interests and the need to … Continued
September 15, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Policy regularly profiles policymakers from across the state. This week we profile Peter Reichard, president of the Utah Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan research organization. Education: Loyola University (BA); Fordham University (MA). Growing up: I grew up in New Orleans in a family with four boys and a girl. I was the second youngest. I loved growing up as part of an army of kids. Our parents taught us to appreciate music, literature, and architecture. … Continued
September 10, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation has released the third in a series of Utah Priorities Project briefs looking at Utah voters’ top concerns. Kindergarten through 12th grade education ranked third in the summer survey. Concern is partly driven by the economic needs of working parents, health risks and educational challenges. K-12 education was most important for voters with children in school and women
September 10, 2020(Salt Lake Tribune) - Imagine no COVID-19. Welcoming a friend with a hug. Yelling in the arena, donning no face mask. This “normal” feels a long way away. But we can get back, with the right people. Who are they? People who uniquely understand health care. Normal has changed. Every issue is a health issue. According to a survey by the Utah Foundation, the top five voter concerns are health care, taxes and spending, K-12 education, jobs and the … Continued
September 07, 2020(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah is fortunate to be served by a number of capable think tanks/policy institutes. Periodically, UtahPolicy.com will pose a question to them on important and timely policy issues. Here’s the first installment with responses from The Gardner Policy Institute, Utah Foundation, Envision Utah and The Sutherland Institute. This Week’s Question: As a result of the twin crises of COVID-19 and its economic damage to Utah, what changes will occur, or should occur, or what trends … Continued
