It’s easier to find an apartment in Salt Lake City than in these other Western cities, report says.

March 15, 2024 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Salt Lake City’s rental market is less competitive and finding an apartment is now easier than in other Western cities. A new study from RentCafe examined Yardi Matrix data for 137 markets to create a “market competitive score” based on five metrics: apartment occupancy rates, average days a unit is vacant, the number of prospective renters per vacant unit, how many renters choose to renew their lease, and the number of new apartments built. Salt … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Opinion: How schools are fighting a hunger crisis among Utah families

March 12, 2024 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Many of us consider ourselves food experts. We certainly know exactly what we prefer to eat after all. Food has also gained additional attention over time as it is and has been one of the drivers of recent inflation and perhaps one of the more palpable ones. In response to elevated prices, many people turn toward cheaper and often highly processed food as a household budget release valve. Some may even need to purchase less … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

5 Numbers that Show Just How Bad Utah’s Housing Crisis Is

March 08, 2024 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Utah leads the nation in homeownership rates. But now young people in the state are struggling to achieve the American dream. And a new report from the Utah Foundation found that Californians moving here are not entirely to blame. “The current housing crisis is not entirely a function of current migration trends, Utah’s recent economic growth, or pandemic related supply chain issues,” John Salevurakis, the report’s author wrote to The Tribune. “The reality is that … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Homeownership and the American Dream – Elusive for First-Time Homebuyers

March 04, 2024 (Utah Policy) - Friday, the Utah Foundation released a new report on homeownership. Homeownership is both a symbol of achieving the American Dream and a way it is achieved. However, the housing affordability crisis affects anyone looking to become a first-time homebuyer. Ultimately, high home prices are putting the American Dream out of reach for a growing share of Utahns. Highlights of the report: Recent household incomes were only about 20% higher than in 1985, while home prices … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

The Fading American Dream? Utah Study Delves Into the Realities of Homeownership

March 04, 2024 (Deseret News) - A LendingTree survey found that 94% of Americans view owning property as part of the American dream, while 51% of renters surveyed fear they will never be able to afford their own home. The Utah Foundation recently released a new report on the state of the housing market regarding prospective buyers and found that the fear of never owning property is not necessarily irrational, specifically in Utah. “The ongoing lack of home affordability in Utah has likely … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Yahoo: The Fading American Dream? Utah Study Delves Into the Realities of Homeownership

March 04, 2024 (Yahoo News) - A LendingTree survey found that 94% of Americans view owning property as part of the American dream, while 51% of renters surveyed fear they will never be able to afford their own home. The Utah Foundation recently released a new report on the state of the housing market regarding prospective buyers and found that the fear of never owning property is not necessarily irrational, specifically in Utah. “The ongoing lack of home affordability in Utah has likely both delayed … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Gov. Cox ‘Giddy’ at Housing Bills Passed This Session

March 01, 2024 (Deseret News) - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said first-of-its-kind legislation will help pull the state from a spiraling housing crisis and will set a pattern for the rest of the nation. “This is the biggest housing package in the United States right now,” Cox told the Deseret News during an interview on Friday. “This is it. This could be a model for other states.” The bill referenced by Cox — which passed just days before the end of … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Report: Utah’s tax burden increases, sitting above national average

February 19, 2024 (Kiowa County Press) - A new report found the State of Utah’s overall tax and property tax burden hit record lows over the last five years, while the state’s income tax reached an all-time high. The report by the Utah Foundation examined changes in Utahns’ tax and fee trends for nearly the last century. Christopher Collard, senior analyst for the Utah Foundation and the report’s author, said the state’s overall tax burden should be calculated by dividing by all residents’ … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Utah’s tax burden increases, sitting above national average

February 16, 2024 (Utah Public Radio) - A new report found the State of Utah’s overall tax and property tax burden hit record lows over the last five years, while the state’s income tax reached an all-time high. The report by the Utah Foundation examined changes in Utahns’ tax and fee trends for nearly the last century. Christopher Collard, senior analyst for the Utah Foundation and the report’s author, said the state’s overall tax burden should be calculated by dividing by all residents’ personal … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Report: Utah’s tax burden increases, sitting above national average

February 15, 2024 (Public News Service) - A new report found the State of Utah’s overall tax and property tax burden hit record lows over the last five years, while the state’s income tax reached an all-time high. The report by the Utah Foundation examined changes in Utahns’ tax and fee trends for nearly the last century. Christopher Collard, senior analyst for the Utah Foundation and the report’s author, said the state’s overall tax burden should be calculated by dividing by all residents’ personal … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Report: Utah’s tax burden increases, sitting above national average

February 15, 2024 (kpcw) - A new report found the State of Utah’s overall tax and property tax burden hit record lows over the last five years, while the state’s income tax reached an all-time high. The report by the Utah Foundation examined changes in Utahns’ tax and fee trends for nearly the last century. Christopher Collard, senior analyst for the Utah Foundation and the report’s author, said the state’s overall tax burden should be calculated by dividing by all residents’ personal … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Thursday PM headlines: Energy bills head to Senate, MLB resolution signed

February 08, 2024 (upr) - Energy bills pass the state House, move to the Senate Two bills that would affect Utah’s energy policy passed the state House of Representatives Thursday. House Bill 191, Electrical Energy Amendments, would, if passed through the Senate, prevent power plants from being torn down before infrastructure to replace the energy they produce is built. Rep. Colin Jack, the sponsor of House Bill 374 which also passed the State House Thursday, says HB0374 is meant to clarify Utah’s energy laws. Critics … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Opinion: Utahns struggle with food insecurity. Cities and towns can help.

January 29, 2024 (Salt Lake Tribune) - A funny social media trend features parents bemoaning their children’s abilities to eat an absurd amount of berries. A common complaint is that the berries are going to “break the bank,” or that parents “can’t afford the berry habit.” But maybe it’s not actually that funny. Parents want their kids to eat nutrient-dense berries, as well as other fruits. At the same time, my kids can eat six ounces of blueberries (currently $3.49 at Smith’s) … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

2024 Economic Report to the Governor highlights resilient Utah and U.S. economies

January 17, 2024 (Utah Business) - Salt Lake City—The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute today presented the 36th Economic Report to the Governor to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at the 2024 Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber. The report highlights the resilience of the U.S. economy in 2023 and projects continued, albeit slowed, economic growth in 2024… Read the Utah Foundation’s chapter in the report here.

Direct Link: Read Full Article

How do we improve Utah? Think tank’s top 2023 findings reveal where legislators should start

January 07, 2024 (Deseret News) - Before I had a child, I figured that raising one would be easy. After all, I had been a child myself and had seen firsthand what worked and what did not. It initially seemed largely a matter of common sense. For example, I decided that my daughter would never need more toys than could fit in one large toy chest. Whenever a new toy came in, an old toy had to go out. It turned … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Think tank’s top 2023 findings

January 07, 2024 (Yahoo News) - Before I had a child, I figured that raising one would be easy. After all, I had been a child myself and had seen firsthand what worked and what did not. It initially seemed largely a matter of common sense. For example, I decided that my daughter would never need more toys than could fit in one large toy chest. Whenever a new toy came in, an old toy had to go out. It turned … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Opinion: The four truths about Utah’s growth and mobility

December 21, 2023 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Recently, the Utah Foundation hosted a panel of local transportation and government leaders to discuss policy solutions that will inform transportation planning and decision-making. Panel participants discussed how trails, complete streets, first and last-mile transit access and active-transportation connectivity impact the quality of life for residents. From that workshop, four truths emerged. Truth #1: Utah and the Wasatch Front are growing at a record pace. Utah has seen colossal growth in recent years. New jobs … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Residents of Midwest, Mountain West see biggest pay bumps

October 30, 2023 (Michigan Advance) - …Many of the states in the Mountain West, Midwest and New England that experienced large income increases have scenic or affordable areas that have attracted remote workers looking for a lower cost of living and proximity to recreation. “Things changed fast. Now there’s competition for workers and upward pressure on wages, and people from Oregon and California are saying ’Hey I could live next to five national parks. This is an incredible place,’” said Shawn … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

New report looks at Utah water law

October 26, 2023 (Utah Policy) - Today, the Utah Foundation releases its second report of a new series on water in Utah. Utah is one of the driest states in the nation. Making sure the state manages water well is essential to its rapid population growth and economic expan­sion. There are concerns that Utah’s water law a) provides incentives for wa­ter-right holders to waste water, b) distributes water in a way that might have been a better fit for historic needs … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article

Annual Growth and Prosperity Summit to feature Congressman John Curtis

October 21, 2023 (Daily Herald) - Curtis Blair, who describes himself as an entrepreneur and business alchemist, was named president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce four years ago. Since that time, he has engaged the community in yearly discussions and bringing local stakeholders to the same page concerning the growth and prosperity of Utah valley. For the past three years Blair, the chamber and Utah Valley University have hosted the Growth and Prosperity Summit. This year, the … Continued

Direct Link: Read Full Article