The Hinckley Institute Radio Hour (Original Air Date: June 2, 2021) — This week, a panel on employment and ethics in times of crisis. Experts on Utah’s job market and economy will discuss how COVID-19 and its many societal impacts exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities, as well as potential solutions for crafting an equitable recovery for all Utahns.
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah was ranked the strongest economy among all 50 states by the U.S. News & World Report. Utah’s April employment report reflects this economic resilience with an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent, less than half the 6.1 percent reported for the U.S. as a whole Due to this small number, Governor Spencer Cox moved to discontinue the federal unemployment program that granted an additional $300 a week to approximately 28,000 Utahns who qualified. Cox says the move is a way to return to normal and believes, “[t]he market should not be competing with government for workers.” The enhanced benefits are set to expire on June 26th.
This week’s panel takes a look at Utah’s economic landscape and how ethics can shape better public policy. The panel includes Peter Philips, professor in the University of Utah Economics Department; Theresa Foxley, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah; Silvia Castro, executive director of the Suazo Business Center; and Heidi Walker, chief operating officer for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Moderating today’s panel is Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
This forum was put on in partnership with Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Daniels Fund in Ethics from the David Eccles School of Business.
This forum was recorded on March 15, 2021.
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