Congress is approaching a major deadline with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire in 2025. What does this mean for Utahns and the upcoming elections in November?

On this week's episode, we sit down with Rep. Blake Moore of Utah's First Congressional District to discuss reining in federal spending, how to reform social safety net programs, and where Congress can play a role in reducing benefits cliffs.

This episode is brought to you by Zions Bank, sponsor of the 2024 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series.

Show notes:
U.S Congressman Blake Moore https://blakemoore.house.gov/
What it’s like to face safety-net ‘benefits cliffs’ that can discourage work and opportunity – Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/what-its-like-to-face-safety-net-benefits-cliffs-that-can-discourage-work-and-opportunity/
Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy – Nic Dunn, Washington Examiner https://sutherlandinstitute.org/removing-work-disincentives-in-the-social-safety-net-will-strengthen-upward-mobility-and-the-economy/
Reforming welfare and workforce policy elevates work – Nic Dunn, Washington Examiner https://sutherlandinstitute.org/reforming-welfare-and-workforce-policy-elevates-work/

We often talk about the vital role parents play in directing the education of their children. But is this principle of parental engagement top of mind for policymakers in Washington, D.C.?

On this episode we sit down with Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah's Fourth Congressional District to get his perspective on the education policy debates happening in our nation's capital.

This episode is brought to you by Zions Bank, sponsor of the 2024 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series.

Show notes:
US. Congressman Burgess Owens https://owens.house.gov/
Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access - Sutherland Publication https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-boosting-parent-engagement-in-public-schools-by-strengthening-parent-access/
Education Policy Page - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-education/

Parental engagement has huge benefits for students. But how easy is it for a parent to actually be involved in what his or her children are learning in school?

On this episode, we hear from a Utah parent who shares the pros and cons of Utah’s current parent access resources. We also dive into new research from Sutherland Institute.

Amy Wilson is a Utah parent whose kids have all gone through the public education system. She’s also the office manager for Sutherland Institute. Amy shares her perspective on how easy – or difficult – it is for parents to be engaged with their children’s education.

Christine Cooke Fairbanks is the education policy fellow for Sutherland and author of a new report, "Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access." Christine gives an overview of her new research, which sheds light on Utah’s current parent access policies and how to improve them.

Show notes:
Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-boosting-parent-engagement-in-public-schools-by-strengthening-parent-access/
Elevating parental engagement in education, with Rich Nye - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elevating-parental-engagement-in-education-with-dr-rich-nye/
Christine Cooke Fairbanks - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/christine-cooke-fairbanks/
Amy Wilson - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/amy-wilson/
Policy | Education - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-education/

The cost of housing is a top concern for likely voters in Utah, according to Sutherland Institute research. It’s easy for housing affordability to feel like an intractable issue, but one national expert argues that we can solve this policy challenge by reforming local zoning policies.

Nic Dunn talks with Nolan Gray, former New York City planner and current senior director of legislation and research for California YIMBY. Nolan shares the argument from his book, Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It, that the solution to the housing crisis facing America’s cities will come from rethinking and reforming local zoning laws to allow the housing market to better respond to demand.

Show notes:
· Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It https://www.amazon.com/Arbitrary-Lines-Zoning-Broke-American/dp/1642832545
· Nolan Gray https://cayimby.org/our-team/
· Utah Voter Priorities - Sutherland Institute research https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-2024-voter-priorities/

Education policy debates usually focus on funding. But what if there's a critical part of a good education system that has a huge impact on outcomes – and too often gets ignored?

On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Dr. Rich Nye, the new senior advisor for education to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, to discuss why the state is committed to elevating the role parental involvement plays in our education system. Nic and Dr. Nye are joined by Sutherland Education Policy Fellow Christine Cooke Fairbanks, who has written extensively about the role of parents in educating their children. They discuss how policies that increase parental access to the methods and materials used to educate their children can improve the parent-teacher partnership and yield better outcomes.

Show notes:
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox Announces Rich Nye as Senior Advisor of Education https://governor.utah.gov/2024/07/08/news-release-utah-gov-spencer-cox-announces-rich-nye-as-senior-advisor-of-education/
• Does Canvas give parents robust access to curriculum? https://sutherlandinstitute.org/does-canvas-give-parents-robust-access-to-curriculum/
• Who governs education in Utah? https://sutherlandinstitute.org/who-governs-education-in-utah/
• The case for curriculum transparency in public schools - Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-case-for-curriculum-transparency-in-public-schools/
• Sutherland Institute - Education Policy https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-education/

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.

If you’re worried about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, you’re not alone. But what if a solution to this electoral angst is a recommitment to the constitutional principle of federalism?

On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with national federalism expert Tony Woodlief. Tony is Senior Executive Vice President for State Policy Network, Senior Fellow for its Center for Practical Federalism, and author of I, Citizen: A Blueprint for Reclaiming American Self-Governance.

Nic and Tony are joined by Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan to explore how reducing the size and scope of the federal government – and returning more policy decision-making power to states – can reduce political polarization and yield better policy outcomes. They also discuss Utah’s top ranking on the Federalism Scorecard, which evaluates the level of influence on states by federal agency officials.

Show notes:
Tony Woodlief | State Policy Network (spn.org) https://spn.org/staffer/tony-woodlief/
Center for Practical Federalism https://www.centerforpracticalfederalism.org/
Federalism Scorecard https://www.federalismscorecard.com/
Ruling on Chevron deference nudges branches of government back into their own lanes - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/ruling-on-chevron-deference-nudges-branches-of-government-back-into-their-own-lanes/

Usually, getting paid more at work is a good thing. But for some people on government assistance, increasing the amount of income they earn can actually make them worse off. On this episode, we talk with someone who has experienced the safety-net benefits cliff to understand how it can affect decisions about work and economic opportunities.

Nic Dunn sits down with Marcella Patiño and Josh Nelson of Circles Salt Lake. Marcella is a Circle Leader who has faced benefits cliffs that discouraged her from pursuing work opportunities. Josh is an Ally who volunteers to help participants navigate poverty to achieve self-sufficiency through sustained work.

Show notes:
A firsthand account of overcoming ‘benefits cliffs’ to escape poverty - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/a-firsthand-account-of-overcoming-benefits-cliffs-to-escape-poverty/
How programs to help the poor can harm upward mobility - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/how-programs-to-help-the-poor-can-harm-upward-mobility/
Why America needs a new welfare reform movement - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/why-america-needs-a-new-welfare-reform-movement/
Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/removing-work-disincentives-in-the-social-safety-net-will-strengthen-upward-mobility-and-the-economy/

Every Pioneer Day, Utahns commemorate the pioneers who fled religious persecution to create a better, freer life in the West. This week, we're taking a special look at the current state of religious freedom to answer this question: How can we champion legal protections for religious freedom in a way that wins the support of critics?

Nic Dunn welcomes a special panel of guests to profile Utah's unique approach to advancing religious freedom legislation and to articulate a model for the rest of the nation:

Bill Duncan, Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow for Sutherland Institute
Sen. Todd Weiler
Rep. Mike Petersen
Robin Fretwell Wilson, Professor of Law at the University of Illinois

Show notes:
Views on Religion Issue Brief https://s35049.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Views-on-Religion.pdf
Faith and the Climate of Freedom report https://s35049.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Faith-and-the-Climate-of-Freedom.pdf

Utah's primary election was on June 25, but there are still ongoing disputes over the outcomes of two high-profile races. On this episode, we equip you to use a constitutional lens to evaluate any instance in which an election outcome is questioned or even challenged.

Host Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson to discuss Utah's Republican primary race for governor, which incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox won by roughly 37,000 votes. They discuss whether the ongoing challenges by the Phil Lyman campaign pass constitutional and legal muster.

The discussion also dives into Utah's 2nd Congressional primary race and some of the questions around Utah's vote-by-mail system with special guest Tammy Patrick. Tammy is the CEO of Programs for the Election Center at the National Association of Election Officials.

Show notes:
Policy | Elections - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elections/
Election Center - Home Page https://electioncenter.org/index.php
Primary election reforms that can build public trust - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/primary-election-reforms-that-can-build-public-trust/

Congress is approaching a major deadline with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire in 2025. What does this mean for Utahns and the upcoming elections in November?

On this week's episode, we sit down with Rep. Blake Moore of Utah's First Congressional District to discuss reining in federal spending, how to reform social safety net programs, and where Congress can play a role in reducing benefits cliffs.

This episode is brought to you by Zions Bank, sponsor of the 2024 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series.

Show notes:
U.S Congressman Blake Moore https://blakemoore.house.gov/
What it’s like to face safety-net ‘benefits cliffs’ that can discourage work and opportunity – Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/what-its-like-to-face-safety-net-benefits-cliffs-that-can-discourage-work-and-opportunity/
Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy – Nic Dunn, Washington Examiner https://sutherlandinstitute.org/removing-work-disincentives-in-the-social-safety-net-will-strengthen-upward-mobility-and-the-economy/
Reforming welfare and workforce policy elevates work – Nic Dunn, Washington Examiner https://sutherlandinstitute.org/reforming-welfare-and-workforce-policy-elevates-work/

We often talk about the vital role parents play in directing the education of their children. But is this principle of parental engagement top of mind for policymakers in Washington, D.C.?

On this episode we sit down with Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah's Fourth Congressional District to get his perspective on the education policy debates happening in our nation's capital.

This episode is brought to you by Zions Bank, sponsor of the 2024 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series.

Show notes:
US. Congressman Burgess Owens https://owens.house.gov/
Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access - Sutherland Publication https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-boosting-parent-engagement-in-public-schools-by-strengthening-parent-access/
Education Policy Page - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-education/

Parental engagement has huge benefits for students. But how easy is it for a parent to actually be involved in what his or her children are learning in school?

On this episode, we hear from a Utah parent who shares the pros and cons of Utah’s current parent access resources. We also dive into new research from Sutherland Institute.

Amy Wilson is a Utah parent whose kids have all gone through the public education system. She’s also the office manager for Sutherland Institute. Amy shares her perspective on how easy – or difficult – it is for parents to be engaged with their children’s education.

Christine Cooke Fairbanks is the education policy fellow for Sutherland and author of a new report, "Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access." Christine gives an overview of her new research, which sheds light on Utah’s current parent access policies and how to improve them.

Show notes:
Boosting Parent Engagement in Public Schools by Strengthening Parent Access https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/publications-boosting-parent-engagement-in-public-schools-by-strengthening-parent-access/
Elevating parental engagement in education, with Rich Nye - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elevating-parental-engagement-in-education-with-dr-rich-nye/
Christine Cooke Fairbanks - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/christine-cooke-fairbanks/
Amy Wilson - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/amy-wilson/
Policy | Education - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-education/