Originally published in Utah Business.

Now that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, otherwise known as the Supercommittee, has failed to do its part, the U.S. spending problem is once again solidly in the hands of the U.S. Congress. Their economic leadership—or lack of leadership—will significantly impact regional economies all around the country, including ours. It is nail-biting time and we need our government to step up big. As some economists have said, the market economy sits in the back seat while government leaders (globally and domestically) sit in the front seat holding the wheel. We need serious economic leadership.

Continue reading Economic River Rafting →

Originally published in Utah Business.

This month begins the ever-important holiday shopping season. Retailers make, miss or exceed their yearly projections during the next several weeks. I’ve been monitoring the numbers and watching consumer behavior to get my own read on what’s happening. Here’s my take.

Continue reading A Multi-Speed Economy →

Originally published in Utah Business.

I had the privilege recently of visiting our National Archives and viewing George Washington’s first inaugural address. Yes, I’m talking about the real document…yellowed parchment, faded ink, handwritten cursive and brilliant content. It begins, “Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order…” Washington had received notice that he was elected the first president of the United States. He was nervous, humble and ready to serve.

Continue reading A Deficit of Leadership →

Originally published in Utah Business.

I’m mad. For 14 consecutive months I’ve watched as the Utah economy has climbed out of the worst recession in my lifetime. If you are less than 78 years old, it was the worst recession in your lifetime too. And now we have the U.S. Congress to thank for taking an already tepid recovery and making things worse. I’m speaking, of course, about the brinkmanship used in raising the U.S. debt ceiling. It was wrong to push it so far and Utah’s economy will be hurt by it. Mark my words.

Continue reading Worth the Risk →

Originally published in Utah Business.

During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., I found myself between appointments sitting on a park bench just off Capitol Hill and within view of the Hall of the States—a large and grand building where many of the 50 states house their Washington offices. It’s where the business of states gets done in the nation’s capital. The setting was a perfect place to consider what’s been going on in Washington, D.C. and how it affects the Utah economy.

Continue reading Friends in High Places →

Originally published in Utah Business.

Call it a Mormon summer. Utah’s predominant religion has been the recipient of a mammoth amount of publicity this summer. In what commentators are calling the “Mormon moment,” news stories flood the airwaves with reports—some accurate, some not—about Mormonism. Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman Jr., Harry Reid, Twilight vampire novels, Glenn Beck, HBO’s Big Love and a Tony Award-winning Broadway play have placed a bright spotlight on the Mormon faith. It’s a spotlight that illuminates the economic reach of a global religion and the local economic impact of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Continue reading Mormon Summer →

Originally published in Utah Business.

Every summer brings a boatload of economic news and events—oil prices, the summer job outlook, hurricane season, national park visits and so the list goes. This summer Utahns will also notice an abundance of media attention on the Beehive State as two prominent presidential candidates with Utah ties begin their quest for the presidency. The economic impact of these candidacies on Utah is worthy of reflection.

Continue reading Romney, Huntsman and the Utah Economy →

Originally published in Utah Business.

Some time ago I was taught the golden rule about rural Utah. It went something like this: “Once you’ve seen one rural community, you’ve seen one rural community.” The statement speaks to the uniqueness of Utah’s cities and towns and their separate challenges—large and small, rich and poor, accessible and remote.

Continue reading Where Urban and Rural Meet →