But the idea that Utah was somehow losing something lingered in the air like stagnant smoke — until now.

The tax-the-brain-drain idea was certainly unique. As far as I can tell, most other places work at finding incentives to keep graduates within their borders, not at ways to scare them into staying. Some people in Arizona are trying to solve that state's problem by encouraging the establishment of more private Christian colleges. The Arizona Republic recently quoted one man behind this effort as saying about 10,000 college students leave the state each year for want of such a place to study.

In Michigan, the governor has a "cool cities" program designed to entice young graduates to stay. The Grand Rapids Press said the plan is to create trendy districts with amenities that might stop an estimated 43,000 kids from leaving in an effort to find jobs or warmer weather each year.

Who knows whether people in those states have any rational basis for those numbers. Thanks to the Utah Foundation, we do. We also have an idea as to why graduates choose to stay or leave. The report found that Utah's low cost of living, livable communities and recreational opportunities — quality-of-life things, in other words — were major draws.

On the other hand, graduates tend to be disappointed in the state's relatively low wages and limited opportunities.

The hard reality for some state leaders is that this is a free country and people can live where they choose. The best we can do is try to encourage them by making Utah as nice a place to live as possible.

Speaking as an out-of-stater whose brain was drained many years ago after graduating in Utah, I probably wouldn't have considered coming back if the state was trying to punish me for leaving. On the other hand, my experience here was so pleasant I was happy to return when the opportunity came. You can decide whether that was a good thing.

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Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret Morning News editorial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com