Insights & Takeaways is Sutherland Institute’s official blog that informs the public and policymakers alike. The blog addresses important issues through the two distinct yet complementary lenses of the seasoned policy professional and the engaged citizen.
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
Takeaways: the most important things voters need to know. For civically engaged citizens.
CommentaryPolicy objections to scholarship program don’t affect its constitutionality
The state courts are a forum for legal and constitutional reasoning, not a second chance for failed lobbying.
InsightsPublic schools may fall off a spending cliff as pandemic school funds end
The federal government gave $190 billion to public school across the nation to mitigate the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath. But the relief funds are soon ending.
CommentaryThis primary election season, recognize that secure elections require public trust
Promoting public trust in secure elections is both a civic duty and a matter of enlightened self-interest in maintaining the power of the people manifested through voting.
TakeawaysDo religious individuals benefit the greater community?
People of faith believe they are accountable to God and have a religious duty to care for others. Studies show our communities are best served when we let them.
InsightsToo little transparency or parent engagement?
One way to help parents get involved in their child’s education is to incentivize more teachers to create user-friendly curriculum transparency.
InsightsReligious freedom requires access to abortion? Maybe not
An Indiana appeals court gave initial acceptance to the argument in a case where plaintiffs argue that their religious beliefs require abortion in unusual circumstances.
TakeawaysBuilding trust in the election process
How are policymakers working to ensure elections remain trusted – and trustworthy – in 2024 and beyond?
InsightsHow much does district spending impact student outcomes?
Looking at school districts with high graduation rates and low per pupil spending may reveal innovative ways to support graduation and help students complete the success sequence steps.
CommentaryWhy religion is good for society
Religion fills essential roles that do tremendous good for individuals, families and communities — and it is worthy of support from voters and policymakers.
How Utah supports both public and private education
Utah lawmakers have expressed through their policy decisions a desire to support all student learning, regardless of where Utah families decide to educate their children.
Do students benefit academically from curriculum transparency?
Research suggests that transparency has the potential to help first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students with many academic outcomes.
Housing, Education, Taxes are Top Issues for Utah Likely Voters, Survey Finds
Heading into the 2024 elections, most likely voters in Utah view housing affordability, education funding and taxes as most important to their vote.
Impacts of curriculum transparency on education choice
Central to education choice within the public system is clear information that allows parents to make comparisons. Transparency in all forms is helpful.
As the family goes, so goes the state. Utah gets this
Marriage does more to lift people from poverty than money from Uncle Sam. New legislation reflects this.
Respect for local control means keeping the ranked choice voting pilot program
The pilot program is working. Cities are adopting or rejecting ranked choice voting according to the expressed will of their voters.
Human rights violations in China, Nicaragua are sad examples of a lack of religious freedom
Repression of Uyghurs is well known; in Nicaragua, Catholics and people of other faiths have been subjected to arrest, intimidation and exile.
FAQ: Ranked choice voting in Utah
As the Utah State Legislature considers the fate of the ranked choice voting pilot program, here are answers to questions voters may have about this form of voting.
