State government agencies are supposed to be accountable to that state’s voters through their elected representatives. But what happens when federal agencies try to directly influence what state agencies do in ways that elected officials may not even know about?

On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes a small roundtable of experts to discuss a new bill in Utah that aims to make federal communication to state agencies more transparent. They also explore the broader efforts to restore the principle of federalism to the core of constitutional government in Utah and beyond.

Guests:

• Utah State Sen. Keven Stratton
• Tony Woodlief, Senior Executive Vice President for the State Policy Network and Senior Fellow for SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism
• Bill Duncan, Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow

Show notes:

• The State of Federalism in Utah: Progress and Potential — Sutherland Institute
• Obscured guidance from federal agencies creates an accountability gap. What can the state do? — Sutherland Institute

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.