Policy
Constitutional Law
At the core of the American Dream is the belief that hard work and commitment can yield a better life, the pursuit of which is possible thanks to the American free enterprise system – the greatest engine of prosperity in the history of humanity. But too many Americans striving to escape poverty still face obstacles to realizing that dream.
Through the Work & Opportunity Initiative, Sutherland Institute seeks to remove barriers or disincentives to work and other opportunities for economic progression that affect families in Utah and beyond. Landmark research, compelling multimedia, powerful storytelling and strategic partnerships combine to advance policy reforms that make the American Dream more attainable – protecting Utah and the United States as the land of opportunity for generations to come.
Constitutional Law
Securing the American institutions of self-government – such as free and fair elections – in a republic is a civic responsibility of every American citizen. It is an essential part of ensuring a new birth of freedom for future generations.
If government derives its power from the “consent of the governed,” as the Declaration of Independence states, then that consent must have a mechanism for being regularly expressed and renewed.
This is the role that secure elections play in America’s constitutional order: helping ensure the peaceful transfer of power and the opportunity of citizens to exercise their civic voice.
Sutherland Institute offers sound research and principled analysis on voting methods and election security. We do this to promote trusted and trustworthy voting systems and elevate the way the state of Utah assesses and refines this crucial process. We seek to protect public confidence in Utah’s elections by promoting positive reforms and increasing voters’ understanding of the security and access offered by Utah’s election procedures.
Conversations
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Utah Fits All – protecting religious options #utpol #religion #education
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 3: What Should Happen
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 2: The Arguments
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 1: Case Overview
How religious freedom benefits everyone #utpol #religion
Parental Rights on Trial: What’s at Stake in Education
The incorrect use of "unity" in today's political climate #utpol
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Utah Fits All – protecting religious options #utpol #religion #education
Insights & Takeaways
Insights‘So unimaginable and so abhorrent’: UCLA case is a reminder of how bigotry resurfaces
Court rebukes university over how it allowed protesters to exclude Jews from areas of campus.
TakeawaysAnxious about election season? Look to federalism
Solutions to many of America’s problems can be solved at the community level, rather than through the power of a select few.
TakeawaysA renewed call to reform the U.S. Supreme Court
Biden’s efforts to reform the Supreme Court are not new to the executive branch, as FDR sought a similar goal.
CommentaryWhy the reasoning behind Utah Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion is so alarming
The role of the court is to apply existing law enacted by the people and their representatives, not to discern new policies in nebulous meta principles behind the law in a way that usurps the Legislature’s role.
InsightsUtah Supreme Court’s ruling on voter initiative case seems to stray into policymaking
Judges have a critical role in protecting the integrity of the laws enacted by the people through their constitutions.
Takeaways3 Supreme Court decisions you need to know about
We provide an overview of three recent SCOTUS decisions and what you need to know about the rulings.
Press ReleaseSutherland releases new research audit on Utah’s federalism rating
Sutherland Institute released a new research publication evaluating how well Utah’s governance lives up to the principle of federalism and shows ways the state could improve.
CommentaryParents can’t be involved in child’s app downloads? That’s a legal stretch
The right of free speech does not include a right to have an audience of minors whose parents are unaware of or uninvolved in their use of technology.
InsightsAs Hamilton said, judges must be ‘faithful guardians of the Constitution’
Utah’s judicial selection and retention process focuses on basic competence but gives little attention to critical questions about judicial philosophy and dedication to the Constitution itself.