Utah political observers thought in the 2015 legislative session legislators addressed some major issues, while leaving some, including Medicaid expansion and the relocation of the state prison, to be handled later. The 2015 legislature did address several significant public policy issues that will have long-term impacts. Two tax increases passed, an increase in the fuel tax and an increase in property taxes with the goal of reducing disparities in education funding across the state. Lawmakers focused heavily on criminal justice reform, passing legislation that significantly impacts policy. Relocation of the state prison was also discussed at length, though ultimately legislators opted to hold off on a final decision. The Prison Relocation Commission tackled the issue during the year. A final policy issue that will catch the attention of those living outside the state is the passage of the LGBT nondiscrimination law.

Heading west to seek gold, obtain religious freedoms, or settle their own piece of land are old and commonly told American stories. These stories, guided by the dreams of generations before us are the basis for the reality now playing out in the western US with its complex history and remarkable capacity for change. This chapter provides a description and analysis of the demography of all 13 western states. The demographic compositions of the western region as a whole and the US will also be observed, and compared to the other regions the Census Bureau has defined. These latter categories provide both a regional and a national baseline, respectively, on which to make useful comparisons. The focus of this chapter is therefore on Alaska,

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Heading west to seek gold, obtain religious freedoms, or settle their own piece of land are old and commonly told American stories. These stories, guided by the dreams of generations before us are the basis for the reality now playing out in the western US with its complex history and remarkable capacity for change. This chapter provides a description and analysis of the demography of all 13 western states. The demographic compositions of the western region as a whole and the US will also be observed, and compared to the other regions the Census Bureau has defined. These latter categories provide both a regional and a national baseline, respectively, on which to make useful comparisons. The focus of this chapter is therefore on Alaska,