News Articles

Less than half of Utah undergrads finish in 6 years

December 21, 2014 (The Spectrum) - Less than half of students who enroll in Utah’s colleges and universities finish bachelor’s degrees within six years, but that’s not simply because a significant portion of the state’s young people go on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Utah Foundation Report Outlines Ways to Improve College Graduation Rates

August 07, 2025 (KUER) - New research on Utah’s higher education system is pointing out ways the state can improve its low college graduation rate. Utah is 39th in the nation when it comes to obtaining bachelor’s degrees. And it takes Utah students longer to graduate. Shawn Teigen is the principal research analyst for the Utah Foundation, which released a report on Tuesday called Steps Forward in Higher Ed. He says money is often a barrier to graduating, but it … Continued

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Top educators consider ‘game changers’ for college graduation

August 07, 2025 (Deseret News) - Utah college students are taking longer to graduate from four-year institutions than their peers nationwide. For many students, this translates into more student debt, a higher likelihood of dropping out, and long-term economic hardship to families and communities. Higher education leaders are looking for ways to enable more students to graduate on time, and a Utah Foundation research report released Tuesday offers some suggestions.

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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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