economic news | by jim robson, economist

Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget

Bookmark this link, http://www.governor.utah.gov/gopb/ or just google “gopb” for one of the most useful public & policy and economic resources about Utah.

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) is a key government agency within Utah public policy circles. The focus of GOPB is to provide factual information needed to make informed decisions concerning planning, budgeting, economic development, and good governance in the State of Utah. The data and analysis disseminated by GOPB not only support the goals and policy initiatives of the Governor, but provide a common set of information needed by other public decision makers and the citizenry to discuss and make government policy in Utah.

Within GOPB there are four major functions or sections—Budget, Plannivng, Demographic and Economic Analysis, and Strategic Management.

BUDGET

The Budget section develops the Governor’s recommended budget that he summits to the legislature prior to each annual regular legislative session. This budget reflects the goals and objectives of the Governor with regard to spending the state’s limited resources in line with major priorities of education, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, social services, etc.

In addition, the Budget Section tracks the many state programs and their expenditures throughout each year.

PLANNING

The Planning section promotes quality growth and development of the state, providing leadership and coordination between local, state, and federal government programs. This section provides technical assistance for local government planning and land use efforts, as well as monitoring and representing the interests of the State of Utah as impacted by federal government policy and programs.

DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

This section develops, analyzes and disseminates economic, demographic, and fiscal data in support of planning, budgeting, and policy making within state government. This data and analysis
effort seeks to provide and coordinate the use of objective, factual information that government officials, policy makers, businesses, and others can use.

Major informational resources from the DEA section include:

• Estimates and forecasts of population levels and demographic characteristics
• Economic conditions of the state, particularly with the annual publication of the “Economic Report to the Governor”  
• Tracking and forecasting of state revenues and expenditures
• Utah information from U.S. Census Bureau, coordinating and disseminating data through the State Business and Industry Data Center Program
• Long-term economic and demographic projections for state planning
• Economic and fiscal impact analysis of major projects and economic development
• Produces and disseminates special studies on important state planning and budgeting issues.
   

 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

The relatively new Strategic Management section was formed to monitor and improve state government performance and efficiency. Constant efforts are applied to promote best practices, collaboration, high levels of performance, training and innovation as state government resources are used to provide services to Utah’s residents.