News Articles

John Florez: Utah’s ‘lift all boats’ economy drowns the poor

November 29, 2014 (Deseret News) - “If we can get the economy right, everything else takes care of itself…  It’s the rising tide that lifts all boats,” said Gov. Gary Herbert to his Park City real estate colleagues in 2011. But it doesn’t, as evidenced by this: “… the percentage of taxpayers who are downwardly mobile increased to 39 percent from 28 percent,” (Utah Foundation, “Climbing Toward the American Dream: A Second Analysis of Economic Mobility in Utah,” Aug. 2, 2013). … Continued

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Drew Clark: Bonds are boring, but indispensable to modern life

November 30, 2014 (Deseret News) - Bonds are boring. A bond is a long-term promise by someone (often a municipality or state government) to pay for stuff — roads, water projects, schools, etc. — that can also be pretty boring. But bonds are integral to enabling the infrastructure of modern life. Do you like being able to turn on the lights in the morning, take a hot shower and drive your car to work on well-paved roads and safely-constructed highways?

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Utah Has $2.8 Billion in Bond Debt

November 19, 2014 (Utah Policy) - Here’s one for you – recall how conservatives in the Utah Legislature complain and complain about how much in debt the federal government is? Well, these same conservatives – which run the Legislature – and GOP Gov. Gary Herbert have indebted the state to the tune of $2.8 billion. That’s billion with a B. Now, this is NOT as bad as the federal government. Not nearly…

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To Bond or Not to Bond? Utah Facing a Big Question

November 18, 2014 (Utah Policy) - Utah is in a bit of a catch-22 right now. The state has taken on a lot of debt recently through bonding to pay for capital projects. But, there are some high-profile needs coming down the pike which could push the state’s debt level beyond the comfort level of lawmakers and officials.

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Property Tax Post: Are Property Taxes Exacerbating Western States’ Water Woes?

October 01, 2014 (Bloomberg BNA) - In drought-plagued western states, the idea of repealing property taxes that flow to water districts has been catching on, as illustrated by a recent report by the Utah Foundation, titled “Flowing Toward 2050: Utah’s Water Outlook.” The report argues that cheap water, subsidized by property taxes, is the largest inhibitor of conservation. It recommends using market mechanisms to encourage conservation by eliminating property taxes that go to water districts, making water more expensive in order … Continued

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For The People (radio segment)

September 18, 2014 (KVNU) - Focusing on local, State, and Federal political issues on News Talk KVNU 610 AM and 102.1 FM. – See more at: http://610kvnu.com/podcasts/for-the-people#sthash.yblYprFj.dpuf

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Utah’s water future: Develop or conserve?

September 17, 2014 (Deseret News) - SALT LAKE CITY — A new report recommends Utah leaders reconsider how water is priced for rate payers and recommends that delivery systems do a better job of tracking use at the faucet, providing “real-time” feedback on consumption.

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Report: Utahns should pay more for their water

September 17, 2014 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Utah has to do more than build infrastructure to meet its future water needs, according to a new report. In the “Flowing Toward 2050: Utah’s Water Outlook” report released Wednesday at City Creek Park in Salt Lake City, Utah Foundation researchers concluded the state can’t simply build to satisfy a thirsty, growing population.

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Op-ed: Corporate or public interest, which is it?

August 16, 2014 (Deseret News) - “If we can get the economy right, everything else takes care of itself. It’s the rising tide that lifts all boats.” So said Gov. Gary Herbert, speaking before Park City real estate agents in 2011. It may be the reason his administration seems to put corporate interest above the general public’s interest.

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Report: Utahns pay more for transportation, less for rough road-related repairs

June 27, 2014 (Fox13 News) - Utah has a lot of bad roads that cost residents a lot of money. The bill for the average Utah family: $197 in repairs due to poor road conditions.  A lot of money? Yes. But the national average is over $300. The data was put together in a report called “Roadmap to 2050,” published by the Utah Foundation. Research analyst Mallory Bateman wrote it.

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Utah’s last-in-nation spending on students fell even further

June 12, 2014 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Utah’s per-pupil spending fell by more than all but a dozen states during the latest economic slump, dropping the Beehive State — which already spends less per student than any other state — even further behind the national average, according to a new analysis.

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Why Low-Income Kids Are Thriving in Salt Lake City

May 01, 2014 (The Atlantic) - In the summer of 2013, four prominent economists from Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley, named Salt Lake City one of the best places in the country for upward mobility. Low-income kids who grew up in the region, the researchers found, had some of the greatest chances of moving up the income ladder as they aged.

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52% growth projected for Davis County

May 01, 2014 (The Davis Clipper) - In the next 36 years, Davis County is projected to grow by well above one-third in terms of total population. That’s according to a report released late last month by The Utah Foundation. It projects the county’s population could reach 465,000-plus people by 2050.

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Why Low-Income Kids Thrive in Salt Lake City

April 29, 2014 (National Journal) - In the summer of 2013, four prominent economists from Harvard and the University of California (Berkeley) named Salt Lake City one of the best places in the country for upward mobility. Low-income kids who grew up in the region, the researchers found, had some of the greatest chances of moving up the income ladder as they aged.

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Prepare Today for Twice as Many People

April 30, 2014 (Utah Policy) - Research conducted by Utah Foundation indicates that Utah’s population may nearly double by 2050. That seems like a long ways away, but it’s really not. I won’t be around, but my newly-born granddaughter will only be 36 in 2050. She’ll probably have a young family by then. So how do we preserve Utah’s enviable quality of life for her and the other 5 million Utahns in 2050? The decisions and investments we make today will … Continued

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Utah population to nearly double by 2050

April 20, 2014 (Standard Examiner) - Utah’s population is expected to soar 86 percent by 2050 from 2.9 million to 5.4 million, according to a report. The study by the independent research group Utah Foundation says the state’s population will also be more diverse, noting most growth among the young now is occurring among minorities.

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Study: Utah population to nearly double by 2050

April 20, 2014 (KSL ) - Utah’s population is expected to soar 86 percent by 2050 from 2.9 million to 5.4 million, according to a report. The study by the independent research group Utah Foundation says the state’s population will also be more diverse, noting most growth among the young now is occurring among minorities.

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