What’s the proper role of citizen ballot initiatives compared to laws passed by the state Legislature as different methods to create public policy? On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Bill Duncan to dive into the debate over Amendment D, which was a proposal to amend Utah’s Constitution with that very question in mind.

They explore some of the bigger constitutional questions voters aren’t hearing about in the press and offer a framework for how policymakers and the public should view this issue moving forward.

Show notes:

Amendment D decision should heighten focus on the most important constitutional considerations – Deseret News https://sutherlandinstitute.org/amendment-d-decision-should-heighten-focus-on-the-most-important-constitutional-considerations/

Missing the significance of the voter initiative amendment – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/missing-the-significance-of-the-voter-initiative-amendment/

The freedom to live your faith is a bedrock American principle. But has the right of religious freedom always enjoyed the level of protection that it does today?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Thomas Lehrman, executive producer of a new documentary called "Free Exercise: America's Story of Religious Liberty." The film tells the story of the fight for religious freedom, and how those efforts influenced other rights that Americans enjoy today. Nic and Thomas discuss why this story matters, and how it impacts ongoing debates over religious freedom.

Show notes:

The Filmmakers – Free Exercise Movie: https://freeexercisemovie.com/the-filmmakers/

Policy | Religious Freedom - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-religious-freedom/

If you're frustrated with national politics, is a "reset" the answer?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. John Curtis of Utah's 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Curtis tells the story of how his team changed the way they conducted town halls, yielding vastly improved dialogue with constituents, and how it's a model for improving national political discourse.

He also covers President Ronald Reagan's 80% rule and how it relates to lawmaking in Washington, D.C., ongoing work on climate and energy issues, and more.

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

Show notes:

U.S. Representative John Curtis (house.gov) https://curtis.house.gov/
Congressional Series: John Curtis (youtube.com) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL-FMJsJ9Xo
Rep. John Curtis on the conservative approach to climate change - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/rep-john-curtis-on-the-conservative-approach-to-climate-change/

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

What is the proper role of the federal government?

It's a question that impacts many of the national policy debates that top the news, and it was an important theme during Sutherland Institute's 2024 Congressional Series. 

This week, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah's Second Congressional District to get her insights on the proper balance between federal and state authority on a range of issues. The congresswoman covered topics like the important principle of federalism, the debate over public lands, and how to more constructively interact with people who share different political views.

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

Show notes:

U.S. Representative Celeste Maloy (house.gov) https://maloy.house.gov/
The importance of federalism and Utah's public lands lawsuit - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-importance-of-federalism-in-utahs-public-lands-suit/
Why the 2024 election should move Americans toward more support for federalism - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/why-the-2024-election-should-move-americans-toward-more-support-for-federalism/

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.

What’s the proper role of citizen ballot initiatives compared to laws passed by the state Legislature as different methods to create public policy? On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Bill Duncan to dive into the debate over Amendment D, which was a proposal to amend Utah’s Constitution with that very question in mind.

They explore some of the bigger constitutional questions voters aren’t hearing about in the press and offer a framework for how policymakers and the public should view this issue moving forward.

Show notes:

Amendment D decision should heighten focus on the most important constitutional considerations – Deseret News https://sutherlandinstitute.org/amendment-d-decision-should-heighten-focus-on-the-most-important-constitutional-considerations/

Missing the significance of the voter initiative amendment – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/missing-the-significance-of-the-voter-initiative-amendment/

The freedom to live your faith is a bedrock American principle. But has the right of religious freedom always enjoyed the level of protection that it does today?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Thomas Lehrman, executive producer of a new documentary called "Free Exercise: America's Story of Religious Liberty." The film tells the story of the fight for religious freedom, and how those efforts influenced other rights that Americans enjoy today. Nic and Thomas discuss why this story matters, and how it impacts ongoing debates over religious freedom.

Show notes:

The Filmmakers – Free Exercise Movie: https://freeexercisemovie.com/the-filmmakers/

Policy | Religious Freedom - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-religious-freedom/

If you're frustrated with national politics, is a "reset" the answer?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. John Curtis of Utah's 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Curtis tells the story of how his team changed the way they conducted town halls, yielding vastly improved dialogue with constituents, and how it's a model for improving national political discourse.

He also covers President Ronald Reagan's 80% rule and how it relates to lawmaking in Washington, D.C., ongoing work on climate and energy issues, and more.

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

Show notes:

U.S. Representative John Curtis (house.gov) https://curtis.house.gov/
Congressional Series: John Curtis (youtube.com) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL-FMJsJ9Xo
Rep. John Curtis on the conservative approach to climate change - Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/rep-john-curtis-on-the-conservative-approach-to-climate-change/

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.